Calls for action to protect shop workers after survey finds increase in abuse from customers during Covid crisis

Shop workers across Wales have spoken out about the increased abuse they have faced from members of the public throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

New figures released today by retail trade union, Usdaw, show that 79 per cent of shop workers say the abuse they have faces was worse last year.

The final results of Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shop workers across the UK found that 88 per cent had experienced verbal abuse, 60 per cent were threatened by a customer and 9 per cent were assaulted.

Usdaw has today renewed its calls for legislation to protect retail staff after their findings revealed many triggers of abuse in this sector over the last 12 months were due to coronavirus measures put in place to protect the public and staff, such as mask wearing (15 per cent), enforcing social distancing (24 per cent) and queuing to get into stores (17 per cent).

When asked what improvements in the workplace they would like to see, 38 per cent said more management support, 24 per cent wanted to ban offenders and 14 per cent suggested increased security staff.

Other suggestions included more staff, the use of body cameras, involving the police and break / time off to recover.

Comments from shop workers in north Wales include: “I’ve had customers say they’ve got covid-19 and then cough in my face because they were asked to stand behind a marked line.” and “Been told to f**k off many times, usually after asking for ID, also been robbed at knifepoint.”

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary said: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Welsh shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.

“Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law.

“It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90 per cent of shopworkers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and one in ten assaulted.

“We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job.

“At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused.

“Action to protect shop workers is needed.

“The UK Government has persistently opposed new legislation, offering little more than sympathy and objecting to the Alex Norris protection of shopworkers bill in the House of Commons.

“We are now looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK Government’s opposition.”