RETAIL WORKERS’ trade union Mandate has received complaints from members who have been verbally abused or threatened by shoppers in the Christmas run-up.
The union, which represents 45,000 people, said almost all the incidents related to issues outside the workers’ control such as refunds, stock, return policies and the sale of restricted goods like alcohol. Mandate noted Christmas was a stressful time for shoppers, particularly given the current economic and social conditions, and urged shoppers to be respectful.
“There seems to be some consistent types of abuse like foul language, shouting, people losing their temper or throwing garments or receipts or whatever they have in their hand at shop workers,” Mandate’s national co-ordinator Brian Forbes said. “We’re asking for people to remain calm and would urge shoppers to be respectful at what is a very stressful time of year.”
Mandate recently conducted a survey of 1,500 people working in retail which found 70 per cent experienced verbal abuse in the past year. A further 30 per cent had received threats from a customer and almost 10 per cent were assaulted in the course of their employment.
