SHOPWORKER PROTECTION

COVID-19: CO-OP LINGFIELD

THIS IS WHY RETAILERS NEED PROTECTION

AS THESE SHOCKING VIDEOS DEMONSTRATE,EXPECTING RETAILERS TO POLICE CUSTOMERADHERENCE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES ISSIMPLY ADDING YET ANOTHER TRIGGER FOR IN-STORE VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION.

As the UK government steadfastly refuses to improve protection for shop workers, retailers across the country are facing growing levels of in-store abuse and violence as they attempt to police social-distancing guidelines in-store among an increasingly confused and frustrated customer base.

The videos highlighted here offer a terrifying glimpse into how these frustrations can manifest themselves in convenience stores, often with little or no provocation. These videos, recorded on CCTV in a Co-op store in Lichfield in May, highlight just how quickly situations can escalate. In this instance, the customer had been politely asked to adhere to the one-way system and follow social distancing guidelines. The response was a chaotic rampage that was terrifying for staff as well as fellow customers and which resulted in significant damage to the store.

RESPECT PETITION HITS 80K

A parliamentary petition from retail workers union Usdaw that seeks to protect retail staff from violence, threats and abuse has passed 80,000 signatures following the annual Respect for Shopworkers Week. Usdaw continues to campaign for 100,000 signatures that should trigger a parliamentary debate.

The petition is backed by 23 major retailers and the industry’s leading trade bodies, with research by the Co-op showing its aims have public support as well. Launched by shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis, you can add your weight to the campaign by signing the petition here.

Interim results of Usdaw’s 2020 survey – based on 2,317 responses – show that in 2020 so far:

56.87% were threatened.

16.27% shopworkers had been assaulted during their career.

39.63% of workers said incidents od workrelated violence had become “much worse” under coronavirus.