Violence Against Retail Workers
What’s the issue?
- A post-pandemic increase in violence and abuse directed towards retail workers is putting their safety at risk.
- What was once a seasonal spike, around certain public holidays, has now become an epidemic of crime across the United Kingdom.
- Levels of violence and abuse directed towards retail workers are now at an all-time high, with an estimated 1,191 new cases reported each day.
- An estimated 40% of retail workers are considering leaving the sector because of the rising levels of abuse and violence.
What’s our position?
- As a foundation, all workers should be able to work free from harassment and abuse, whether this comes from employers, colleagues, or third parties (such as clients or customers).
- We know that feeling safe at work is essential to psychological safety, which is the solid foundation upon which OSH and wider workplace cultures can be built.
- Current legislation (Crime and Policing Bill) does not go far enough to protect workers and law enforcement bodies lack the funding and powers they need to respond to violence against retail workers.
Therefore, we call on the Government to:
- Introduce the Crime and Policing Bill without the legal presumption that first-time offenders will receive criminal behaviour orders, to send a strong message to would be offenders.
- Supplement existing sentencing guidelines by including, as an aggravating factor, abuse or violence related to retail workers enforcing the law (such as refusing the sale of alcohol or enforcing age-related sales).
- Provide the powers and funding that law enforcement agencies and local authorities need to prevent repeat offenders from returning to shops and hospitality venues.
- Require all police forces to treat all reports of violence against retails workers as a ‘serious incident’ which triggers a mandatory police response.
- Mandate public reporting from larger retailers (250+) employees.
Asks:
In our workplaces (For employers):
- Employers should ensure that all forms of abuse and violence are included within the scope of workplace risk assessments, and that mitigations are put in place where possible.
- Create a fast and confidential reporting system, investigate all incidents thoroughly, and provide support for affected employees.
- All forms of violence or abuse against retail workers should be reported to the authorities, allowing for a full and accurate understanding of the risks faced by retail workers to be understood.
Across the UK (Government, policymakers and regulatory):
- Introduce the Crime and Policing Bill without the legal presumption that first-time offenders will receive criminal behaviour orders, to send a strong message to would be offenders.
- Supplement existing sentencing guidelines by including, as an aggravating factor, abuse or violence related to retail workers enforcing the law (such as refusing the sale of alcohol or enforcing age-related sales).
- Provide the powers and funding that law enforcement agencies and local authorities need to prevent repeat offenders from returning to shops and hospitality venues.
- Require all police forces to treat all reports of violence against retails workers as a ‘serious incident’ which triggers a mandatory police response.
Globally:
- Member states to quickly ratify and implement ILO Convention Number 190 and associated recommendations.