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12 July 2005 - USDAW Respect for
Shopworkers Day
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The Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), as
part of their Freedom from Fear Campaign, is holding their Respect for
Shopworkers Day on Wednesday, 13 July, 2005, to highlight and subsequently
reduce the number of attacks made each year on our shopworkers.
Physical assaults amount to some 20,000 yearly and research
seems to point to two main areas giving cause for concern such as:
USDAW, in a bid to reduce the risk of violence from underage
children attempting to purchase alcohol and tobacco, is lobbying the Government
for a compulsory prominent signage system to be installed within every shop
throughout the UK. It is hoped that with the words "No ID, No Sale"
and being backed by Government Legislation may deter youngsters from requesting
these purchases at all and provide the shopworker with less risk of attack.
USDAW feel confident that MP's from all parties will back them
to make this small change in the law.
They would also like schools to participate using educational
programmes informing our younger generation that it is indeed a criminal offence
to buy or sell alcohol and tobacco.
Although the finger is often pointed only at our younger
generation for violence to shopworkers, a recent survey on "Retail Rage" found
the worst offenders of violence and rage towards shopworkers came from middle
aged women.
We in the UK are very lucky to have the Legislation in place,
which provides us with a means for redress.
A word with the Manager in the first instance usually can be
suffice. However, if we find this not to be to our satisfaction,
then we can simply telephone such help lines as Citizens Advice Bureau or
Trading Standards, who will take the complaint on board and provide us with
information, guidance or ultimately provide councillors to act on our behalf,
for a resolve to the problem which satisfies everyone.
There is no need to cause extra stress to yourself or cause harm
to any shopworker with Retail Rage.
The Freedom From Fear Campaign can be accessed by clicking the
following:
Freedom From Fear Campaign
Information on The Respect for Shopworkers Day can be accessed
by clicking the following:
Respect for Shopworkers Day
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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