In a disturbing incident, a shop worker was attacked with a meter-long tube of Jaffa Cakes, shedding light on the violence, threats, and abuse faced by retail workers on a daily basis.
The upcoming holiday season brings fears of heightened risks, particularly on ‘Super Saturday,’ the last full shopping day before Christmas. According to Usdaw’s annual survey, 65% of shop workers experienced verbal abuse, and 42% were threatened by customers over the past year. Shockingly, 5% reported being assaulted, with 71% of verbal abuse attributed to customer frustration.
Testimonies from West Midlands shop workers revealed shocking encounters, from physical attacks to verbal insults and racial abuse. Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis expressed dismay, stating that these incidents highlight the appalling mistreatment faced by retail staff. The survey also emphasized that the majority of abuse stemmed from customer frustration with issues beyond the control of the shopworkers.
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As the holiday shopping rush escalates, Usdaw is appealing to customers to ‘keep your cool’ and show respect towards shopworkers. Lillis stressed the need for empathy and understanding, urging customers to ensure a better shopping experience for everyone involved.