While Australians have a lot to be proud of, there is a disappointing side to the response of shoppers through this COVID-19 pandemic.
ACAPMA has made note that it is extremely disappointing to see the abuse, aggression and violence that has been pointed at Australia’s retail workers.
It is understood that there is frustrations surrounding the lack of products on shelves, paired with an overall uneasiness in the air among everyone.
However, as ACAPMAs Executive Manager for Employment and Training, Elisha Radwanowski says, “This is unacceptable. More than that, it is completely un-Australian.”
“While the vast majority of customers recognise the reality, that the retail fuel site staff are simply following the restrictions imposed on them, dealing with stock outages themselves, and having absolutely no control over fuel prices, those few customers that probably understand these facts on an intellectual level, have despite this, been blaming the staff and attacking them. Staff are reporting feeling unsafe at work.”
“This is at a time when they are getting up and coming into work to ensure that the fuel and convenience necessities that the countries essential workers and locked down population need, are there and available. It is not on,” adds Ms Radwanowski.
ACAPMA has released new posters to remind customers that abuse, aggression and violence towards staff is unacceptable and un-Australian.
Download the poster, here.
This is an edited version of an article originally circulated by ACAPMA on April 7, 2020.
