Push for abusing retail workers to be criminal offence
People who abuse retail and fast food staff should face criminal charges under a push by Queensland’s shoppies’ union.
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People who abuse retail and fast food staff should face criminal charges under a push by Queensland’s shoppies’ union which wants the State Government to consider introducing legislation.
It follows a nationwide survey the SDA undertook in December last year, which revealed 87.92 per cent of its members experienced verbal abuse from a customer during the previous year.
More than 25 per cent said they experienced verbal abuse every week.
SDA State Secretary Chris Gazenbeek said during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “ridiculous” panic buying led to increased incidents of abuse and violence on retail workers.
“We were pleased the State Government stepped in to provide further protections for retail workers by ensuring anyone that threatened to spit, cough or sneeze at an employee could be fined,” he said.
“We also note the government in Scotland recently passed legislation specific to retail workers to make abuse and violence towards retail workers a criminal offence.
“The Palaszczuk Government should consider similar legislation to protect workers here in Queensland.”
The State Government last year made it illegal for someone to deliberately cough, spit or sneeze on public officials including retail workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
Perpetrators face up to six months behind bars under the temporary directive.
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said assault in the workplace was never acceptable and was a crime under the Criminal Code Act.
“We have an election commitment to ensure that if someone is a victim of assault because of their occupation, the court must treat it as an aggravating factor when sentencing,” she said.
The SDA’s survey also found those who had experienced abuse and violence said it had an impact on their physical or mental health, with 76.54 per cent saying it caused stress, 72.62 per cent saying it caused anxiety and 39.20 per cent saying it caused burnout.
The union’s No One Deserves A Serve campaign is currently bringing industry stakeholders together to help find solutions.
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