Labour Research October 2011

Health & Safety Matters

Violence survey

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw is running a survey over the violence and abuse suffered by retail staff.

As part of its Freedom from fear campaign, the union is encouraging shopworkers to tell them about the procedures in place in their store to see what is happening in reality. Usdaw reps can then inform management and staff of any deficiencies.

Usdaw hopes that the survey will also help reps identify which members have been subjected to violence or abuse, and to connect with both members and non-members in stores. The survey’s results should at least help raise awareness of what safety precautions exist for workers.

This year, the union’s Respect for shopworkers week will run from 7-11 November and aims to highlight the issues of violence and abuse and raise awareness among shopworkers, customers, employers and politicians.