Blue Mountains Posts

Ms Templeman said more than 85 per cent of retail and fastfood staff had been abused while they work – and it simply isn’t ok.

“With everyone leading increasingly busy lifestyles, especially in the lead up to Christmas and post Boxing Day sales, people are increasingly time poor, stressed and sadly some are just plain rude.

“Retail and fastfood workers cop the brunt of that rudeness as the stress levels rise amongst customers,” she said. “They report being sworn, yelled and spat at, as well as being hit and threatened while at work.

“There is no excuse for the increasing amount of abuse being directed at people who are just trying to do their job.

“No-one should have to dread going to work because they’re likely to be abused, but sadly, that’s the reality for thousands of retail and fast food workers. 

“I’m sure we’d all agree it’s not part of the job to cop abuse,” Ms Templeman said. “But it is everyone’s right to a have a safe work environment.”

Ms Templeman encouraged people to support the No-one Deserves a Serve campaign being run by the SDA, which represents retail and fast food workers.

“Please, over the Christmas and New Year break, check yourself when you check out. No one deserves a serve.”