In retail environments, ensuring the safety of workers is key to fostering staff and customer success. With the increasing threat of violence against retail employees, businesses must prioritize preventive measures to create a secure workplace and address turnover. This blog post explores the types of workplace violence, and the preventative strategies and technologies that can help retailers achieve safer outcomes.
Understanding workplace violence
What is workplace violence?
Workplace violence encompasses any act or threat of physical violence, harassment or intimidation in the workplace. It ranges from verbal violence to physical assaults and even major threats. The retail sector, in particular, faces unique challenges due to its customer-facing nature and extended hours of operation.
Types of workplace violence
- Criminal intent: Perpetrators have no legitimate relationship to the business or its employees and usually commit violence in conjunction with a robbery.
- Customer/client: Violence directed at employees by customers or clients, often in response to service dissatisfaction.
- Worker-on-worker: Violence between coworkers, which can stem from disagreements or personal conflicts.
Why preventing violence at work is crucial
In a recent independent report commissioned by Motorola Solutions, we found that retailers are making more calls to first responders, with more than 20% of those surveyed reporting that public safety personnel are called to their stores at least once a week, a 16% increase from 2023.
Challenging situations in the workplace, including violence, not only affect the immediate victims but create a ripple effect throughout an entire organization. It can impact morale, reduce productivity and lead to increased absenteeism and employee turnover. Additionally, businesses may face legal liabilities and reputational damage. This underscores the urgent need for effective prevention strategies.
How to prevent violence at work
Developing a violence at work policy
A comprehensive workplace violence prevention policy is the foundation for a safe work environment. This policy should clearly define unacceptable behaviors and outline procedures for reporting and responding to incidents. It should be communicated to all employees and regularly reviewed and updated.
Violence at work training
Training is a critical component of prevention. All employees should receive training on understanding potential threats, de-escalation techniques and the proper procedures for reporting incidents. Regular drills and workshops can reinforce these skills and ensure readiness in the event of an incident.
Enhancing retail worker safety
Retail businesses can adopt various measures to enhance safety, such as:
- Improved visibility : Equipping employees with body cameras is a strong deterrent for anti-social behavior, as well as providing evidence-grade footage in the event of an incident.
- Staffing strategies: Increasing store staff during high-risk periods can reduce the likelihood of incidents and ensure quick responses.
- Environmental design: Modifying the layout of retail spaces to minimize blind spots and improve visibility can deter potential offenders and improve overall store awareness.
- Communication systems: Implementing reliable communication systems, including panic buttons and two-way radios, enables quick reporting and response to emergencies.
Preventing violence at work is essential to creating a safe and productive retail environment. By understanding the types of violence, implementing comprehensive policies and providing proper training, businesses can protect their employees and enhance overall security.
