Abuse towards shopworkers 'doubled since coronavirus restrictions', warns Usdaw

Shopworker’s trade union Usdaw has released statistics which shows that on average UK shopworkers have been verbally abused, threatened or assaulted every week during the Coronavirus emergency. The union’s 2019 survey found that average was nearly once a fortnight.

It says one in six shopworkers polled has suffered abuse on every shift.

Usdaw’s survey of 4,928 shopworkers also adds that since the Coronavirus outbreak:

* 62% of UK shopworkers experienced verbal abuse,

* almost a third were threatened by a customer

* 4% were assaulted.

One worker told the union: “I had never cried in work until the first week of the lockdown. I received constant abuse from nearly every customer during one shift when the rules were changed so that we couldn't accept returns. I finally broke when one woman refused to leave the store and insulted me and berated me for not doing the return."

Another said: “I have been verbally abused by customers. Pushed by a customer. Been told to shut up and ‘F-off’ when mentioning limitations or the one way system.”

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “We are shocked that violence, threats and abuse have doubled during this national emergency. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a national disgrace that people working to keep food on the shelves for their local communities are being abused and assaulted.

“Urgent action is required. Our message is clear, abuse is not part of the job.

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