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I am worried about being assaulted at work. How can I make sure I am safe?

Usdaw’s annual survey of abuse, threats and violence against shopworkers, part of its “Freedom from Fear” Campaign, revealed that over a million shopworkers were assaulted, threatened or abused during 2010. 6% of shopworkers were subjected to violent attack, 37% were threatened with harm and 70% had suffered verbal abuse. A particular flashpoint for abuse is the requirement to ask for proof of age.

According to the British Retail Consortium’s annual crime survey, although 2010 saw a reduction in offences, more than 18,000 retail staff still reported suffering verbal or physical abuse. Both the BRC and USDAW point out that the actual figure is probably much higher, as a good deal of abuse goes unreported.  

Usdaw has been running its ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign against violence and abuse to shop workers since 2003. Its 10 pointers to a safer workplace are as follows:

  • Be prepared – know what to do if there is a robbery. Your employer should have a procedures in place to deal with them.
  • Physical protection – depending on what is appropriate, your employer should have installed security devices (such as CCTV and panic buttons) and you should be shown how to operate them.
  • Training – your employer should train you so that you know what to do, how to follow safe working procedures, and how to operate security equipment.
  • Cash handling – cash should be kept out of sight and not allowed to build up in the till.
  • Banking – where possible, banking should be done by specialist security staff. You should not go to the bank on foot or by public transport, you should not go alone, and you should have had proper training.
  • Shoplifters – more than half of physical assaults on shop staff are connected with shoplifting. Your employer should have a procedure in place to deal with shoplifters. The procedure should make it clear to staff that they should not risk their safety to protect property.
  • Armed robbery – you should be trained to handle robbery situations. You should do what the robber tells you, not resist, avoid sudden movements, and not raise the alarm until it is safe to do so.
  • Working alone – avoid working alone at high risk times, such as late at night. Employers should take extra precautions to protect staff working alone, for example in petrol kiosks.
  • Report incidents to your supervisor or manager.
  • Make sure you enter any accident or incident in the accident book.
  • Review procedures – in consultation with staff, to make sure procedures are working properly.
  • Compensation – if you are injured or suffer an illness because of work, contact your union rep or get legal advice. Find out more in our personal injury claims section.

See the Usdaw Freedom from Fear web pages for more information.