Parliamentary debate could see better protection brought in for York and North Yorkshire shop workers
The average retail worker has been assaulted, threatened or abused every 6.5 days
It's hoped a debate in parliament today (Monday 7 June 2021) will lead to better protection for shop workers across York and North Yorkshire
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) is calling for legislation to be drawn up to protect retail workers as the number of incidents across the UK has doubled since 2019.
They say the legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker and must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.
In a report by USDAW they found that throughout the pandemic, retail workers have been spat at, threatened with infection of Coronavirus and physically assaulted. Since the start of the outbreak, the average retail worker has been assaulted, threatened or abused every 6.5 days.
Kieron, supervisor at a local supermarket in the city, told Greatest Hits getting abuse is "just part of the job".
He said: "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.
"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.
"You do get the odd person who isn't happy about wearing a mask or doesn't want to wait outside. 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."
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “I am grateful to the employers for supporting the petition. When the trade union for shop workers and retailers unite in a call for action, it should be time for the Government to sit up, listen to our concerns and deliver much needed protection for staff. Abuse must never be just a part of the job.
“I urge the Government not to dismiss my petition, but to listen to the voices of shop workers and employers by legislating for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers. They have talked about zero-tolerance, but that means very little if it is not backed up by strong actions.
“The measures the Government have agreed are worth trying and we hope that they can make a real difference. However they would be much more likely to succeed if backed up with new legislation; a simple standalone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.”