World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
Retail workers report threats and abuse as Respect Week begins
Usdaw and retail groups are promoting respect for shop workers during this week’s annual Respect Week, ahead of Christmas.
The union’s survey of 2,000 workers found that almost half had been threatened by a customer in the past year, while more than two-thirds reported verbal abuse.
About one in eight said they had been assaulted, and workers described threats with knives, spitting and aggression over queues.
Threats and abuse have dipped slightly, but violent incidents are increasing, according to Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas.
She said some violent shop theft is now being classified as robbery, and credited government investment in policing with helping reduce retail crime.
Abuse is damaging workers’ confidence and morale, the Retail Trust’s chief executive said, and can drive people out of the sector.
The Respect Week campaign is urging people to treat shop staff with respect; the groups say small acts such as patience and a greeting can help.
Retail workers have reported threats, verbal abuse and assaults, as Respect Week begins ahead of Christmas.
A Usdaw survey found almost half of workers questioned had been threatened by a customer in the past year.
More than two-thirds of the 2,000 workers surveyed said they had suffered verbal abuse, and about one in eight had been assaulted.
Usdaw said violent incidents were increasing despite a slight downturn in threats and abuse overall.
Usdaw and three retail organisations are promoting Respect Week to encourage better treatment of shop workers.
- Who
- Retail workers, and the organisations promoting Respect Week.
- What
- Workers reported threats, verbal abuse and assaults. A campaign promoting respect for retail staff has begun.
- When
- Respect Week is taking place this week, ahead of Christmas. The survey asked about experiences in the past year.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The campaign aims to promote respect for retail staff amid reports of threats and abuse.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Almost half of the workers questioned said they had been threatened by a customer.
Usdaw and three retail organisations began promoting the annual Respect Week ahead of Christmas.
- Workers surveyed
- 2,000
- Threatened by a customer
- Almost half of those questioned in the past year
- Verbal abuse
- More than two-thirds of those surveyed
- Assaulted
- About one in eight workers surveyed
- Campaign
- Annual Respect Week, promoted by Usdaw and three other organisations
What people are saying
This year’s annual survey interim results show a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of abuse and threats retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs, which reflects the recent small downturn in shop theft.
However, it is very worrying that violent incidents are increasing.
We’re hearing from people who are frightened to come into work because they don’t know what they’ll face that day, and from others who have been pushed to breaking point by repeated abuse.
No one should face abuse at work, and respect can start with something as simple as looking someone in the eye, showing a little patience or simply saying, ‘hello.’