Most Ladbrokes staff fear lone working
Most Ladbrokes staff fear lone working
The majority of Ladbrokes staff are 'worried' or 'very worried' about working alone, research for betting shop union Community has found. The union survey was prompted by Ladbrokes' unilateral decision to introduce periods of mandatory single staffing, reneging on an earlier agreement to ensure all single staffing was undertaken voluntarily. This policy took effect on 1 December. Community says lone working exposes staff to a greater risk of anti-social behaviour such as verbal and physical abuse and armed robbery. The new policy mandates a minimum three hour single staffing period on Sunday, historically the highest risk day for armed robbery due to the volume of cash held on premises, and through other points in the week. The Community survey found 56 per cent of respondents have already been scheduled to work alone and many are still waiting to hear how they will be affected. Over two-thirds (68 per cent) of surveyed members indicated that single staffing makes them worried, with nearly half declaring they are 'very worried' by the prospect of lone person working. Community regional director Christine Hardacre said: 'Ladbrokes are placing their staff at risk of verbal and physical abuse as well as violent armed robbery. We have seen rates of anti-social behaviour skyrocket in the last five years, and now Ladbrokes are forcing their staff to face this abuse with no care for their employees. Ladbrokes have to put people before profit.'
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox