Mid Wales shopkeepers report abuse from customers

In its annual Respect for Shopworkers study, the union Usdaw has released details of responses from workers in mid Wales.

“I have been rammed with trolleys several times on purpose,” said one worker, who remained anonymous.

Another reporter "racial abuse and physical abuse of colleague”, while one more told of: “Customers trying to intimidate me or bully me when I have requested them to follow Covid guidelines.”

The union also released results from its survey of nearly 3,500 retail staff.

It showed that:

• 89% have experienced verbal abuse.
• 64% were threatened by a customer.
• 11% were assaulted.
• 46% said they were not confident that reporting abuse, threats and violence will make a difference.
• 7% of those who had been assaulted did not report the incident.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Welsh shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.

"Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law.

“It is shocking that 9 in 10 of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. So it is extremely worrying that over half are not confident that reporting these issues will make any difference and 7% of those assaulted did not report the incident.

“The new protection of workers law in Scotland is welcome and we urge the UK Government to extend it to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Retail staff across the UK have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. The alarm bells are ringing and it is time for the Government to make a difference.”