As the bustling holiday shopping season approaches, retail workers across the United States are expressing growing concerns about their safety on the job. According to a new industry report, 57% of retail employees say they feel unsafe at work, with rising crime rates and expected holiday understaffing intensifying their apprehension.
The comprehensive survey of over 1,000 retail managers and staff revealed troubling trends in workplace security. In the past year, 66% of workers reported experiencing petty theft incidents, while 48% dealt with "grab and run" situations. Perhaps most alarming, 46% faced hostile interactions with customers, and one in ten workers reported being physically attacked by shoppers.
The anticipated staff shortages during peak holiday shopping are adding to workers' unease. More than 65% of retail employees expect their stores to be understaffed this season, with two-thirds of those workers expressing concerns about their personal safety. Half of the respondents also worried about customer safety under these conditions.
The frequency of emergency response calls has also jumped notably. Over 20% of stores now require police, EMS, or fire department assistance at least weekly - a 16% increase from last year. Another 17% of locations need emergency personnel two to three times monthly.
While various security technologies could help address these concerns, many stores lack basic safety measures. Only 12% of surveyed locations have access control systems, 9% use panic buttons, and a mere 6% employ body cameras. However, workers believe these tools could make a difference - 66% say body cameras could aid in incident investigation, while 42% think they could deter aggressive behavior.
The mounting safety concerns are pushing many retail workers to reconsider their career choices, with a quarter of surveyed employees contemplating leaving their positions. This potential exodus could further compound staffing challenges during the critical holiday shopping period.