Show respect to staff in shops

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

I want to gently remind your readers that shopworkers are people as well. They 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. Shopworkers report that incidents are more frequent throughout the Christmas 
and New Year period when customers can be stressed and are more likely to take out their frustration on staff.

That is why Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, is running a Respect for Shopworkers campaign asking customers to “Keep your Cool at Christmas”. It’s a simple message, but remembering that shopworkers are working extra hard and treating them with respect will mean that everyone can have a happier Christmas.

John Hannett, general secretary, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers