Mid and West Wales Assembly Member Joyce Watson is backing a campaign to crack down on ’retail rudeness’.
As the final weekend before Christmas approaches, shopworkers’ union Usdaw is reminding people to show staff respect and courtesy.
Its ‘Freedom From Fear’ campaign highlights a survey showing that over the past year more than two-thirds of shop workers were verbally abused. Over the same period, 42% were threatened and 265 were assaulted each day. The shocking figures are a significant increase on last year’s survey, with abuse and assaults up 25% and threats up 38%.
The Labour AM commented: “We can all get stressed, dashing round the shops to pick up those last-minute gifts and supplies, but this situation is unacceptable. Staff should always be able to go about their jobs without the fear of abuse and violence. So please get behind Usdaw’s message this festive season – keep it cool at Christmas.”