The NSW 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 Government’s implementation of 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.
“As a former retail worker myself, I want people to take a moment to remember that the people who serve you deserve respect,” said Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis.
“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.”
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 includes any incident where a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at work, including physical assault, sexual assault, harassment or aggressive behaviour.
“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,” said Acting Deputy Secretary SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin.
“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.”
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.
“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,” said Chief Industry Affairs Officer Australian Retailers Association, Fleur Brown.
“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.”
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.
