Crime, hostile interactions with customers 'can have harmful physical and mental impacts,' says expert
Nearly a third of retail workers in Australia and New Zealand are considering leaving their jobs amid safety concerns ahead of the holiday shopping season, according to a new report.
The survey, commissioned by Motorola Solutions, polled over 280 retail managers and staff to find an alarming trend of heightened security risks in retail environments.
It found that 32% of the respondents have thought about leaving their jobs, while another 34% express concern for their personal safety at work as they approach the busy retail period.
The top safety concern for retail workers is shoplifting, as cited by 28% of the respondents. This is followed by hostile customer interactions (23%).
Source: Motorola Solutions
The situation is exacerbated by expected understaffing during the holiday season, with 70% of retail workers anticipating staff shortages, according to the report.
"As we approach peak shopping season, retail workers in Australia and New Zealand have clear concerns about potential crime and hostile interactions with customers, which can have harmful physical and mental impacts," said Martin Chappell, managing director of Motorola Solutions' Asia Pacific channel sales, in a statement.
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Addressing retail workplace safety
More than three in five respondents (68%) believe that more can be done to improve safety in stores, with respondents seeking technology to help improve their situation.
Among the most sought-after tech that retailers said would make them feel safer at work include video security systems (48%) and alarm systems (39%), according to the report.
Source: Motorola Solutions
"Retail workers and managers point to technologies they believe can help curb these issues - deterring theft, de-escalating confrontations with customers, and simultaneously notifying security workers and authorities of emergencies," Chappell said. "Our research shows that the right security measures can improve feelings of safety."
Safety concerns have long plagued Australia's retail sector amid growing cases of abuse against employees in the past years.
Data from the Australian Retailers Association last year found that more than 92% of retailers have experienced or have had a team member experience verbal or physical assault while at work.
Ahead of the holiday season, industry groups have launched a nationwide campaign urging the public to "be kind" to retailers.
Various state governments across the country have also begun introducing legislation to crack down on abuse and harassment against retail employees.