Eight in 10 retail workers said their mental health had deteriorated due to the stress of working in stores and 50% of retail managers said staff absenteeism was increasing, in a survey of more than 1,500 employees by the charity. Retail confidence.
Among the findings, the Retail Trust heard of workers shoplifting and being abused. One retailer said it has formed a task force to protect employees from aggressive shoppers and another reported a marked increase in workers’ feelings of suicidalness.
Cases of abuse have grown during the pandemic, as consumers have taken their frustrations out on mask requirements and social distancing on retail workers. It made the cost of living higher Shoplifting more common and store workers faced more violence and threats when trying to intervene.
Retail is one of Britain’s biggest employers and employees, like shoppers, are under pressure from rising costs.
Retailers are taking some measures to help employees. One-third issued wage increases matching or exceeding inflation, and the other half provided other forms of financial assistance, such as helping pay bills or making salary advances or interest-free loans.
