Over a million shopworkers assaulted last year

Over a million shopworkers assaulted last year

Over a million shopworkers have been assaulted, threatened or abused in the last year, Usdaw has revealed. The preliminary results from the retail union's annual survey found in the past 12 months, 6 per cent of shopworkers were subjected to violent attack, 37 per cent were threatened with harm and a 'massive' 70 per cent had suffered verbal abuse. The union says while reported incidents of assault are slightly down, incidents of threats and abuse have increased on the preceding year's figures. Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said: 'These figures are once again quite shocking and show that Usdaw's Freedom from Fear campaign is needed more than ever. Our campaign, working in partnership with employers, government, police and other agencies has made a real difference and the workplaces where we organise are probably the safest in retail. However, the sad fact remains that every minute of every working day a shopworker is verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked. It is simply unacceptable.' The union leader added: 'Too many people still think working in retail is not a proper job and that this somehow gives them the right to abuse shopworkers with impunity. Shopworkers are mothers, sons, sisters, grandparents, working hard to earn a living just like in any other workplace. They should never have to fear going to work nor face violence, threats or abuse for doing their job.' Referring to Lord Young's health and safety review, launched this week by prime minister David Cameron, he added: 'Shops are not the most dangerous of workplaces but there are over a million shopworkers who can tell Lord Young they are certainly not 'non-hazardous'.'

Usdaw news release, Respect for Shopworkers toolkit and Freedom from Fear campaign.