’Tis the season to be jolly good to shop staff

Dec 4 2008 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

I WOULD like to wish Advertiser readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. For many this is always an exciting time, but we know it can be frantic trying to get everything ready.

I want to gently remind readers to remember that shopworkers are people as well. Many will be working really hard to make your shopping experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

A recent survey showed that every minute of the working day a shopworker is verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked. Incidents are more frequent in the run-up to Christmas as shops are busy, customers can be stressed and are more likely to take out their frustration on staff.

Talking to our members who work in retail, I know that verbal abuse cuts deep. Many go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place at work that day and worried that it will happen again.

Usdaw, the shopworkers' union, is running a Respect for Shopworkers campaign, asking customers to ‘Keep your Cool at Christmas’. Remembering that shopworkers are working extra-hard at this time and treating them with respect will mean everyone can have a happier Christmas.

John Hannett, general secretary, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).