USDAW urges government to free all UK shop workers from fear of abuse

The government is being urged to offer greater protection to shop workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as new law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse comes into force in Scotland today.

Usdaw wants the groundbreaking legislation to be extended across the whole of the UK as 92% of the workforce say they have experienced verbal abuse during the pandemic, 70% have been threatened and 14% assaulted, according to preliminary research for the Freedom From Fear campaign annual report.

This number is likely to be even higher as one in five victims —  including 5% of those who have suffered an assault — have not reported such incidents to their employer meaning nothing can be done to help them.

Shop workers are therefore being encouraged to come forward and speak out with Usdaw imploring its members to ‘report it to sort it’.

Aston spoke to Doug Russell, health and safety officer at USDAW.

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