Shop union calls for action on assaults

One in every 10 shopworkers has been physically assaulted while at work, according to the shopworkers’ union Usdaw.

Its 2009 survey on the issue also reveals that nearly one in three shopworkers (29%) has experienced verbal abuse in the last month.

In November, the union ran a Respect week to highlight the issues in the run up to the Christmas shopping period.

John Hannett, Usdaw general secretary, said: “We aim to ensure that employers are doing everything they can to minimise the problem by implementing measures that provide a safer working environment for staff.”