A recent survey highlights the growing safety concerns among retail workers, revealing alarming statistics about violence and support within the industry.
- Nearly half of the retail workforce fears for their personal safety due to increasing incidents of violence, threats, and abuse.
- A significant portion of retail workers, around 39%, are contemplating leaving the industry as a result of feeling unsafe in their workplace.
- The Retail Trust’s findings underscore the lack of sufficient support from employers, with 48% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction.
- Efforts to address these challenges are underway, including free training sessions to equip workers with skills to manage difficult situations.
A recent study conducted by the Retail Trust has revealed alarming safety concerns among retail workers, with nearly half of the respondents fearing for their personal safety at work. This comprehensive survey, which included 1,240 retail employees, was carried out anonymously to ensure candidness due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
An overwhelming 80% of shop workers and 90% of store managers have reported experiencing some form of abuse. Among these incidents, verbal abuse was reported by 98%, 33% mentioned being threatened with violence, 14% faced physical assaults, and 10% had been spat on. One particularly concerning aspect is that 64% of those confronting shoplifters bore the brunt of this violence, emphasizing the direct link between retail crime and worker safety.
The survey also highlighted a significant gap in the support provided by employers, with 48% of participants expressing that they did not receive adequate help in dealing with these situations. This lack of support has led to 39% of workers considering leaving the industry altogether, despite many having spent years building their careers in retail.
Addressing these pressing issues, the Retail Trust has initiated free training sessions aimed at empowering shop staff with the necessary skills to handle challenging in-store incidents. These sessions will occur both online and in London from 12 to 14 November, proving crucial as the industry gears up for the busy Christmas period.
The campaign has garnered support from major stakeholders, marking a unified stand against retail violence. The British Retail Consortium’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson, echoed the need to combat these rising threats. Additionally, H&M, along with other retailers, is backing these initiatives, with H&M pledging proceeds from its carrier bag levy to bolster the training efforts.
The findings shed light on critical safety issues within the retail sector, prompting initiatives to enhance worker protection.
