Keeping our colleagues safe from harassment
The Retail Trust has joined forces with Foot Anstey’s retail and consumer team on an initiative to support retailers in their efforts to foster safer working environments for their employees.
The Retailers Against Harassment Certification has been created to combat the rise in harassment in the workplace. Foot Anstey’s research in 2019 and 2021 revealed that nearly two-thirds of shopworkers have experienced offensive behaviour at work.
Alarming Nathan Peacey, head of retail and consumer at Foot Anstey commented: “Our study into harassment in retail presented some alarming results and left us wondering what more could be done to protect this group of keyworkers and help create safer working environments for retail workers. “Responsible retailers are already aware of the problem and are
working hard to address it, and this certification is an opportunity to gauge the efficacy of their actions and show their teams they are taking this issue seriously. The program will help retailers to build on their current approach using our insight and legal know-how, and Retail Trust’s 190 years of industry experience.”
Demand Furthermore, the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) open letter
to the UK Government in July 2021 calling for more protection for shopworkers featured signatures from multiple well-known brands. The certification programme combines the experience, advisory skills and industry know-how of the two organisations to help retailers protect their employees from harassment and support them when they encounter it. Foot Anstey and the Retail Trust will work with participating
retailers to review and improve the measures in place to protect workers and deal with any complaints of harassment. A new harassment in retail certification will then be awarded to the retailer showing the actions it is taking to tackle abusive incidents.
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More and more people are turning to the Retail Trust because of the rising levels of abuse they are receiving in stores and call centres
Offensive This follows research by Foot Anstey which found nearly two- thirds (61 per cent) of shop workers have experienced offensive behaviour at work since the pandemic, causing stress, anxiety and a loss of self-esteem. But only 15 per cent of retailers told the Retail Trust that they have raised awareness or implemented training to deal with the issue. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Violence
towards shopworkers remains a major problem facing the industry. We welcome any initiatives aimed at supporting colleagues, and helping retailers to protect their workers. Similarly, we welcome new ways to evaluate the effectiveness of measures currently in place to protect colleagues.” A survey by the Home Affairs Committee last year found that,
of the 87 per cent of retail workers who reported an offence to their employer, nearly half said that no further action was taken. A third of respondents said they did not report incidents to their employer because they believed nothing would be done or it was ‘just part of the job’.
20 The Retail Trust
Demand for the Retail Trust’s services, which includes mental health support and financial aid, has nearly doubled since the start of the pandemic. It has answered 25,000 helpline calls and run more than 11,000 counselling sessions to provide support for those facing stress, anxiety, and depression and help people working in the sector to pay their bills. Chris Brook-Carter, the chief executive of the Retail Trust,
added: “More and more people are turning to the Retail Trust because of the rising levels of abuse they are receiving in stores and call centres. This programme will help to give retail workers some of the clarity and reassurance they deserve by showing exactly what their employers are doing to protect them. “The Retailers Against Harassment Certification recognises the
important role that employers have to play in creating safer and happier workplaces for their staff, and we applaud any retailers that take part. We look forward to helping more people this year as we join forces with Foot Anstey to bring the industry together in tackling such a terrible issue.” For more details, visit
retailtrust.org.uk/harassment-prevention
Free and confidential helpline
As a valued member of the Retra family, you and your colleagues have free and confidential access to the charity’s wellbeing services. If you are experiencing harassment in the workplace, the
free and confidential Retail Trust wellbeing helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact the trained helpline advisors on 0808 801 0808 for in-the-moment support.
Tools for a healthier and happier life Remember, the Retail Trust website (
retailtrust.org.uk) is packed full of articles, quizzes, videos and guidance on everything from mental health and wellbeing to your career and lifestyle. You can take charge and decide what’s important to you. Think of it as your very own support network. Once you’ve registered on the Retail Trust website you can personalise it and choose what topics interest you. Whether that be advice on how to cope with anxiety or financial worries to valuable tips on managing a team. You’re in total control. Register today at
retailtrust.org.uk, choose ‘Retra family’ as your employer, and start your wellbeing journey.
The Retail Trust
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