NSW urged to bring in measures to protect retail workers from ‘horrifying’ violence

Shocking survey reveals almost nine in 10 retail workers have suffered verbal abuse in the past year, with physical violence against shop staff doubling.

Horrific new research has revealed almost nine out of every 10 retail workers have been verbally abused in the past year, and a quarter of all shop assistants have been subjected to physical violence.

A survey of 3000 workers by the shopworkers’ union underscored the escalating nature of abuse and assaults across the nation that prompted The Saturday Telegraph to combine with retailers to launch the Stop Shop Abuse campaign.

The campaign has already seen NSW Police roll out a major operation targeting retail violence as part of a Minns government “zero-tolerance” strategy, which includes taking part in a national consultation group looking at workplace protection orders (WPOs) and the use of facial-recognition technology.

Shop Distributive and Allied Employees union national secretary Gerard Dwyer said the “horrifying” results showed the urgent need for the introduction of WPOs to keep away repeat offenders.

“NSW and Victoria must act with all speed to introduce WPOs in their jurisdictions,” Mr Dwyer said. “These statistics show there can be no excuse for further delay.

Footage of an act of violence against retail workers in a Woolworths store. Picture: Supplied

“We’re at a point where almost every single retail and fast-food worker has experienced verbal abuse in the last year, and a huge percentage have experienced physical and sexual abuse. It simply can’t continue like this.”

The survey found 88 per cent of workers had been verbally abused in the past 12 months and that 25 per cent had experienced physical violence – double the number from 2023.

Woolworths retail worker Kathy Mihalek said abuse and violence had become much worse. Picture: Richard Dobson

“These workers are members of our local communities – they’re sons and daughters, parents, grandparents who live in your neighbourhood,” Mr Dwyer said. “Shoppers need to do better, and what better time to start than Christmas.”

One of those was Woolworths worker Kathy Mihalek, who has been working at the store in Sydney’s inner west for 35 years. She said abuse and violence had become much worse.

“A couple of Saturdays ago, I was on the register and a woman came in who had stolen from us several times before,” she said.

“The manager and security guard were observing her. She had a full trolley and tried to get out. She was shouting, the customers were frightened. One started crying and another got pushed in the side as she forced her way out.”

Woolworths NSW operations director Matt Spiteri urged the government to bring in WPOs. “We’ve been pushing for extra safeguards to help keep our store teams safe at work, particularly with the abuse and violence they’ve endured for some time,” he said.

Mr Spiteri said other governments had already acted by introducing WPOs.

Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as NSW urged to bring in measures to protect retail workers from ‘horrifying’ violence