Gloucestershire retail worker fears abuse will get worse over festive period
Over half of shop workers aren't confident reporting abuse makes a difference
A retail worker from Gloucestershire fears incidents of abuse will get worse over the festive period.
It comes at new stats from retail union USDAW show half of shop workers don't feel confident that reporting abuse will make a difference.
The figures have been released in line with the annual annual Respect for Shopworkers Week.
What do the figures show?
3,500 people were ask about thei experiences with abuse and over the last 12 months:
- 89% have experienced verbal abuse.
- 64% were threatened by a customer
- 11% were assaulted.
- 46% said they were not confident that reporting abuse, threats and violence will make a difference
- 7% of those who had been assaulted did not report the incident.
Usdaw is campaigning for a new protection of workers law, like the ground-breaking legislation that came into force in Scotland in August this year.
The union continues to call on the Government to extend those protections to shopworkers across the rest of the UK.
Two amendments have been tabled in the House of Lords to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, by Labour shadow minister Lord Coaker and Conservative backbencher Baroness Neville-Rolfe. Usdaw is urging Peers to support the amendments at the forthcoming committee stage of the Bill.
Voices from the shop floor
Mervyn Sterry works in a retail store in Gloucestershire:
"It feels at times that reporting it abuse feels like a box ticking exercise", says Mervyn.
"The people who do the abuse and shoplifting, they know the rules and they know that the police aren't going to get involved.
"The police are stretched as it is and they have to make difficult decisions over what gets prioritised.
"We're coming to the time of year now where shoplifting increase because of Christmas.
"It's not something we should be used to but it's something we keep getting every year.
"This year might be more challenging though because last Christmas was much quieter so we may be a little bit shocked at the same time".
What does Usdaw say?
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is shocking that 9 in 10 of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. So it is extremely worrying that over half are not confident that reporting these issues will make any difference.
“The new protection of workers law in Scotland is welcome and we urge the UK Government to extend it to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Retail staff across the UK have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. The alarm bells are ringing and it is time for the Government to make a difference. They can act quickly by supporting the Lords protection of workers amendments to their flagship policing bill.”