The Minns Labor Government is reminding consumers to behave respectfully, as new figures reveal more than 100 people have been charged under tough laws to help protect retail workers.
The reminder to all customers that ‘violence and aggression against the retail workforce is never okay’ follows the Minns Labor government implementing the Crimes Legislation Amendment in June 2023.
Since its implementation, 136 individuals have been charged with offences under the act with 64 individuals convicted of an offence and 25 individuals receiving a custodial imprisonment sentence.
The new laws make it an offence to:
• assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment
• assault a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment
• wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years’ imprisonment.
Workplace violence has significant impacts on a person’s physical and psychological health, and includes any incident where a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at work, including physical assault, sexual assault, harassment or aggressive behaviour.
The Retail trade sector is the second largest employment industry in NSW, representing nine percent of the total workforce or almost one in 10 workers.
Anyone can anonymously report an incident of violence in the workplace by calling SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives app.
For more information on safety in the retail sector, visit the SafeWork website.
Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis said:
“As a former retail worker myself, I want people to take a moment to remember that the people who serve you deserve respect.
“If you do the wrong thing, if you threaten or assault a retail worker, you can and will be charged.
“The NSW Government is taking a zero-tolerance approach. Retail workers have the right to feel and be safe when they go to work and these strong laws will continue to protect them.”
Secretary of SDA NSW, Bernie Smith said:
“Everybody deserves to feel and be safe in Australian shopping centres. Sadly, retail workers do not with 88 percent of workers being subjected to abuse including physical violence, with 1 in 10 reporting being spat on. Enough is enough, this must change. Everyone has a right to feel safe at work.
“There are now serious consequences for offenders who abuse retail workers including increased jail time. Don’t ruin our members’ day with bad behaviour in shops – don’t ruin your life with a bad decision.
“We ask customers to stop, reflect and do the right thing in shops. Be kind to retail workers, it’s the best present you can give them.”
Chief Industry Affairs Officer Australian Retailers Association Fleur Brown said:
“It’s encouraging to see the progress being made in NSW following the introduction of targeted penalties to help keep retail communities and spaces safe and we commend the work of the government and police to enforce this.
“No one deserves to be spat on, threatened with weapons, intimidated or harassed for simply doing their job. Let’s work together to keep our retail teams safe.”
Coles General Manager Grant Shelton said:
“We are deeply committed to providing a safe working environment for our team members, and we have invested heavily in advanced safety technologies and training programs.
“Our record-level investments in safety measures, such as body-worn cameras and de-escalation training, underscore our dedication to protecting our team members and customers.”
Kmart and Target CEO John Gualtieri said:
“Keeping our team members and customers safe is our number one priority at the almost 450 Kmart and Target stores right around Australia and New Zealand.
“The concerning increase in customer threatening situations that is affecting Australian retail is not acceptable and is something that we need to take decisive action to stop.
“As a community we need to say enough is enough and support active measures that we know will increase safety for not only retail workers but for the community.”
Acting Deputy Secretary SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin said:
“Workers’ compensation data over the last three years shows us most claims in the retail sector are made by sales assistants at fuel retailers, supermarkets and retail department stores – and around 60 per cent are made by female workers.
“We are asking customers to maintain appropriate behaviour when interacting with retail workers, and to have a little patience and understanding.
“Every worker has a right to go to work and come home safely, and we need to remember this and keep a cool head during peak periods.”
