Severe understaffing reported by NZ supermarkets, grocers: survey

A recent survey of over 1,500 supermarket and grocery workers in New Zealand's major retail chains has brought to light significant issues such as low pay, understaffing, and customer abuse.

The survey by First Union indicates that 90.8% of respondents reported their stores were understaffed, with 36.2% stating this occurs "sometimes," 30% "regularly," and 24.7% "continuously."

Understaffing was identified by 39% of workers as the "single most important workplace issue."

"Supermarket workers were hailed as heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, but this survey shows that they are certainly not treated that way by employers, with the majority still not fairly paid or looked after at work," Rudd Hughes said, FIRST Union National Secretary for Retail and Finance, said in a Scoop article.

Over 74% of respondents said their wages are insufficient to cover living expenses, while 61.9% reported that wage increases have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. Only 21% could handle an unexpected $500 expense, while 53.7% could not and 25.3% were unsure, found First Union.

Additionally, 55.5% of workers believe conditions will worsen in the next year, 36.6% expect no change, and less than 10% foresee improvement.

In the Scoop article, Hughes emphasized the growing problem of customer abuse and violence in the industry post-pandemic.

"Almost a third of workers say they feel unsafe at work to varying extents, and almost 40% reported that they’ve been verbally assaulted or threatened at work in the last two years. This has to be dealt with urgently, and one of the best ways to do that is by providing adequate staffing levels and appropriate security in stores.”

The survey also found that over 30% of respondents have experienced workplace bullying, 30% have confronted thieves, 4.5% have been sexually harassed or assaulted, and 2.2% have been spat on.

On top of it all, around a quarter of respondents have been in their current role for more than a decade, yet many reported that new employees are paid the same low wages and that their experience is not recognized or rewarded.

Ultimately, Hughes concluded that the survey results would play a crucial role in shaping the union's upcoming negotiations with major chains.

"There is no reason that the supermarket duopoly should have the power to suppress fair wage growth and leave an entire industry so understaffed, underpaid, and stressed-out. It doesn’t have to be this way, and our members and delegates will be looking to change that course over the coming year,” Hughes said in the Scoop article.

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