People encouraged to enjoy holiday but to behave ‘respectfully'
Shoppers in New South Wales are being encouraged to be respectful to retail workers ahead of the anticipated rush before stores close on Good Friday.
"We ask customers to stop, reflect, and do the right thing in shops this Easter so everyone including retail workers can feel safe and celebrate this special time," said Bernie Smith, secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) - New South Wales, in a statement.
To curb cases of retail abuse, the NSW government last year introduced legislation to send individuals who will harm retail employees to up to 11 years in jail.
"This Easter, in NSW, criminals will face jail time if they assault or harass our frontline workers," said Paul Zahra, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, in a statement.
"No one deserves to be spat on, threatened with weapons, intimidated, or harassed for simply doing their job. So, let's shop up big this Easter but let's shop respectfully."
Retail abuse cases in NSW
In NSW, most compensation claims in the retail sector over the last three years were from sales assistants and fuel retailers, as well as supermarkets and retail department stores.
Around 60% were also made by women, according to SafeWork NSW head Trent Curtin.
"We are asking employers and managers to notify SafeWork NSW of any incidence of violence in the workplace," Curtin said in a statement.
The reminders from authorities come as 87% of retail workers in NSW reported verbal abuse from a customer in 2023, according to a government survey.
The survey, which covered more than 4,600 retail employees, also saw 12.5% reporting physical violence from customers and 52% reporting they had the same customer act abusive or violent on more than one occasion.
"Easter is a great time of the year – it's a major religious event, a public holiday and a major shopping opportunity for people of this state who are preparing for community celebrations, hosting guests at home or just trying to get away for a break," said Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis in a statement.
"Let's all remember – the people who are serving you this Easter are from our local community and they are the relatives of the people who live and work around you."
