Call for more protection for shop workers in Harrogate district
8 in 10 shop workers say abuse has worsened during the pandemic, according to the Usdaw union.
A Harrogate retail worker is supporting claims for better legislation to protect shop workers after a reported rise in abuse.
It's as the Usdaw retail union annual survey of 2,729 shop workers across the UK found that 88 per cent of workers experienced verbal abuse.
It also found 60 per cent were threatened by a customer and nine per cent were assaulted.
Kieron from Bilton in Harrogate is a member of Usdaw and is a team leader for a local supermarket. He told Greatest Hits he's not been concerned for his safety, but he's been hit with abuse.
"We would always get abuse but since the pandemic started it's just the little things people will shout at you for. Even if you ask someone to wait outside because you're at capacity you'll get abuse.
"You do get the odd person who isn't happy about wearing a mask or doesn't want to wait outside.
"It's sort of become part of the job but it shouldn't be like that. It has gotten worse because of the pandemic but I think it's because people are angry with the situation.
"The first and second lockdown were the worst with all the new rules coming in.
"We can't help it we have to follow and enforce the rules. It's out of our control and it's not our fault.
"The worst incident was actually when two customers were arguing between themselves. We're not allowed to challenge anything around mask wearing as a company policy. It just turned into the customer shouting at us, even though we're not allowed to do anything."
The survey found some workers faced abuse after asking customers to join the back of a queue, with one worker saying they were threatened with a knife.
Others said they had been physically pushed, shoved and "rammed with trollies" during panic buying.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shop workers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shop workers’ law.
"It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and nearly one in ten assaulted. We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job".