SHOPWORKERS have faced greater abuse from customers during the coronavirus crisis, with some staff being physically assaulted, according to a new report published today.

Three out out of four workers surveyed by retail union Usdaw reported that the pandemic had brought an increase in abuse. 

Virtually all of those questioned said that they had experienced verbal abuse, more than half told of being threatened and one in 10 had been assaulted.

Responding to the survey, a shopworker said: “Asked a customer to join the back of a queue, got verbal abuse. She then returned to the store with a knife and said she was going to cut me up.”

One worker was coughed on by members of the public while stacking shelves and another had their car scratched with a key by a customer who had been barred from the shop.

“Since the pandemic, I’ve had abuse nearly every day, even [been] coughed on twice,” a worker said.

Others told of being “physically pushed and shoved” during panic buying and “being screamed at when telling customers we don’t have an item in stock.”

Usdaw vowed to step up its campaign for a new law to protect shopworkers, which has already received the support of 70,000 members of the public.

General secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Yet another Usdaw survey shows that some people have responded to this appalling pandemic by abusing shopworkers.

“At a time when we should all be working together to get through this national crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves are being abused.

“Action to protect shopworkers is needed and that is why we have launched a petition, which now has over 70,000 signatures. 

“We were deeply disappointed by the government’s response to the petition, offering little more than sympathy, so we continue to campaign for the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a parliamentary debate.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members. Shopworkers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be just a part of the job. 

“Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected. They deserve the protection of the law.”