A new study has found that almost one in three retail workers have considered ditching their jobs before the holiday rush over concerns regarding their safety.
With Christmas and New Year’s Eve around the corner — Black Friday and Boxing Day sales in between — punters across the country are rushing to their local shops to pay for all the shit they need for their annual festivities.
Although it is usually a joyful time of the year, many retail managers and workers are worried about their safety at work.
In a study conducted by Researchscape, commissioned by Motorola Solutions, a majority of retail workers have voiced their concerns about their safety specifically over the holiday period, with a majority of participants citing their fears over shoplifting and hostile customer interactions.
The findings also reported that 65 per cent of retail workers believed more could be done to ensure the safety of themselves and their colleagues, such as stores implementing the use of mobile safety apps and body cameras.
“As we approach peak shopping season, retail workers in Australia and New Zealand have clear concerns about potential crime and hostile interactions with customers, which can have harmful physical and mental impacts,” Martin Chappell, the managing director of Motorola Solutions channel business in Asia Pacific said, per 9News.
“Retail workers and managers point to technologies they believe can help curb these issues – deterring theft, de-escalating confrontations with customers and simultaneously notifying security workers and authorities of emergencies.
“Our research shows that the right security measures can improve feelings of safety.”
Just last year, NSW implemented harsher punishments on customers who abuse staff, including jail time.
“As a former retail worker myself, I know how busy the Christmas period is. I want people to take a moment to remember that the people who serve you deserve respect,” Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Work Health and Safety said at the time.
“For people thinking about doing the wrong thing, think twice, you can and will be charged for assaulting a worker in NSW.”
BRB, going to write to Santa about how my Christmas wish is for retail workers to be treated like actual human beings over this busy period and beyond!!!
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