6 July 2004 - Freedom From Fear campaign in "Respect for Shopworkers Week"
The Union
of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), as a result of the Co-op
reporting an increased trend in violence and abuse within their stores,
selected 660 members at random to record all incidents within a one-week
period last month and found that abuse of Shopworkers throughout the U.K.
was escalating.
In order to draw the publics' attention to this upward trend, they have
launched their Respect for Shopworkers, as part of its “Freedom From Fear”
campaign to promote respect and improve safety in retail workplaces.
Customer behaviour, as listed by shop staff across the U.K. is as follows:
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887 incidents of verbal abuse (including being spat at, sworn at, insulted)
-
224 threats (including threats to kill, stab and punch, and burn shops down)
-
107 cases of violence (including slapping, kicking, attacked in street)
-
48 incidents of sexual harassment (including lewd/suggestive comments, touching)
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32 incidents of racial abuse (including racially offensive insults and threats)
Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett commented:
"Too many shopworkers go to work in fear of being a victim of violence, threats or abuse. This is why we are organising Respect for Shopworkers Week from 5th to 11th July.
Usdaw
campaigns to promote greater safety in retail workplaces and to gain greater
respect for shopworkers. One in 10 of all workers is employed in the retail
sector. Shopworkers have a crucial role in local communities and are pivotal
to the success of local economies, yet it is a sad fact that a shopworker is
attacked, abused or threatened every minute of the working day.
Usdaw members, officials, supporters and MPs will be taking part in events
in towns and cities across the UK next week. I urge the shopping public to
show their support and give shopworkers respect.
Usdaw’s survey has revealed that many shopworkers are going to work in fear of being a victim of violence, threats or abuse - and that is totally unacceptable. It is time for this hard-working sector of the workforce to be given the respect they deserve and the protection they should have as a basic workplace right.
Usdaw is calling for the introduction of a compulsory proof of age scheme because, without doubt, the continued absence of such a scheme is putting shopworkers' safety at risk. Refusing to sell alcohol and cigarettes to under-age customers is a major flashpoint in stores."
For further information about Freedom From Fear, click here.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
