Gallagher Bassett has joined retailers around Australia in taking a stance to eradicate abusive and violent customer behaviour in the retail and fast food industries.
John McNamara, GB Australia CEO, recently signed a retail and fast food industry statement on witnessed increases in abusive and violent customer behaviour, which was released by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), the Australian Retail Association, and the National Retail Association.
The industry statement outlines the organisations’ commitment to forging a retail and fast food industry which is free from abuse and violence, to help create vibrant, healthy and safe workplaces for workers and customers across Australia.
In the last year, more than 85% of retail staff have experienced verbal abuse from a customer, 15% have experienced physical customer violence, and 11% sexual harassment or abuse, SDA said.
“We’re proud to have signed the Retail and Fast Food Industry Statement on Abusive and Violent Customer Behaviour,” said John McNamara, GB Australia CEO. “This is an important step to address the customer abuse epidemic in Australia.”
The industry statement currently has 36 signatories.
