Features
Hands off Both the UK safety regulator and the equality regulator said an unequivocal ‘#NotMe’ when we asked who investigates and prosecutes cases of sexual harassment at work. Hazards editor Rory O’Neill exposes the regulatory vacuum that guarantees those employers that let bad things happen know it is safe to carry on regardless.
Hazards 146, April-June 2019
#So what? Why is sexual harassment still a major blight on British workplaces? Because many perpetrators are allowed to get away with it and many employers believe it’s not their problem. Hazards editor Rory O’Neill interviewed two women who spoke out about their experiences and who had to leave their jobs as a result.
Hazards 145, January-March 2019
It's not OK You think sexual harassment and assaults are at their worst in the movie industry? Hazards editor Rory O’Neill says try life as a cleaner, hotel housekeeper or waitress – or anyone in low paid ‘women’s work’ facing routine abuse with few rights and little chance of redress.
Hazards 140, October-December 2017
Hit list The TUC says reporting of work-related violence is critical in tackling the issue. The union body advises that without a strong and well-used reporting system, there will not be an effective response to incidents or a way to identify potential hotspots and trends. Here, it lays out its blow-by-blow guide.
Hazards
132, October-December 2015
Pakistan: Record number of journalist murders in 2024
A report by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) reveals 7 journalists have been killed in Pakistan this year, marking a record high. The PPF attributes this to growing threats from militant groups, criminal organizations, and political factions. PFF demands: "Authorities must ensure that the media is free to work without fear of retribution and ensure that these killings are subject to an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation.”
The Guardian, 10 July 2024
Britain: Train conductors speak out about abuse directed at train crew
Northern Railway train conductors have reported increasing incidents of verbal and physical abuse from passengers. The conductors shared experiences to raise awareness of the hostile environment train crews often face in performing their duties. One conductor spoke of homophobic abuse and death threats.
Northern railways news release, 12 July 2024
Britain: Union carers survey finds widespread violence and mental ill health
A GMB survey revealed 70 per cent of care workers report understaffing negatively affects their mental health. Of nearly 900 surveyed, half said workplace abuse—mental, physical, or sexual—has impacted their mental health.
GMB news release, 12 June 2024
Global: Most security workers feel underpaid and unsafe
UNI Global Union has released a global survey revelaing poor working conditions for security workers. "Insecurity in Security Work," reports most security officers feel underpaid, unsafe and in need of union representation. The findings call for urgent industry-wide reforms for safer and fairer working environments. UNI's Michala Lafferty emphasised the need for immediate employer action to improve pay and safety. The survey included over 11,000 security workers across 35 countries.
UNI news release, 12 June 2024
Britain: GMB survey finds 1 in 3 ASDA staff have suffered work violence
GMB research has found one-third of Asda staff have experienced workplace attacks, including stabbings and threats with syringes. Incidents include drivers being chased by cars and being workers assaulted with food, bottles, and verbally threatened. Over half were injured or made ill by the violence with some encounterig spitting, broken bones, and death threats.
The Guardian, 11 June 2024
Britain: Bakers' union calls for new sexual harassment at work law
Food workers at the bakers’ union’s annual conference called for new legislation to combat endemic sexual harassment, demanding mandatory reporting of cases similar to workplace accidents. Following revelations of frequent complaints at McDonald’s, delegates also pushed for a dedicated anonymous reporting hotline.
Morning Star, 10 June 2024
Britain: Over 25 per cent of ambulance staff 'sexually harassed by public’
A 2023 NHS staff survey for England has revealed more than 58,000 staff have experienced sexual assaults and harassment from patients and other members of the public. Out of the 675,140 NHS staff respondents, over 84,000 reported sexual assaults and harassment in 2023. Rates were highest in the ambulance service with 27 per cent reporting sexual harassment from the public. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Staff morale within the NHS is at rock bottom. The figures are jaw dropping, a third of staff want to leave within a year."
The Guardian. Unite news release. NHS Staff Survey 2023 National results briefing. 7 March 2024
Palestine/Israel: NUJ urges PM hold Israel accountable for killing journalists
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has co-signed a letter to Rishi Sunak urging an immediate end to hostilities and accountability for Israel's killing of journalists in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Over 100 journalists have died, prompting concern over the UK government's silence on IDF's targeting of journalists. The letter, sent on February 8, demands government action to ensure accountability and protection for journalists covering the conflict.
Protecting journalists and press freedom in the Israel Gaza conflict letter. NUJ news.
8 February 2024
Britain: FBU endorses 'action plan' to tackle sexual harassment
Officials at the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have approved an ‘initial action plan’ to tackle sexual harassment which will include mandatory sexual harassment training for all union officials, ensuring safe spaces and conducting an annual equalities audit. A full plan is expected by the summer. The move follows an indendent report that found sexual harassment was an issue in the union.
FBU news. 7 February 2024
Britain: Being attacked is a simple reality for many nurses
BBC reports over 1,700 physical assaults on hospital staff in Kent and Sussex in 2022. This is a 47 per cent increase on 2018 - from 1,159 to 1,714. The Royal College of Nursing says being spat at, hit and punched is "is the reality of working life for many nurses."
BBC news, 24 January 2024
Global: ILO action call on violence at work A new ILO report emphasizes using Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) frameworks to address the root causes of violence and harassment and to encourage collective action for better work environments. The report, Preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work through occupational safety and health measures , finds that more than one-in-five people in employment have experienced violence and harassment and notes of the 25 countries studied, about two-thirds of all legal provisions on workplace violence and harassment are contained in OSH legislation and regulations. ILO news release. 22 January 2024
Britain: MoD faces sexual harassment probe
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) faces a potential Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigation following allegations of inadequate handling of sexual harassment and assault claims by female civil servants. The union Prospect, representing about 60 senior women at MoDsubmitted a complaint, has urged the EHRC to examine if the ministry has violated the public sector equalities duty (PSED). The union expressed concerns about MoD's failure to comply with obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Prospect called for an inquiry after a joint letter from senior women detailed sexual assault claims, and an additional civil servant reported three incidents of assault. The EHRC will now consider whether to take action.
The Guardian, 14 January 2023
Wales: Teachers strike due to increased pupil violence
Teachers at Pencoedtre High School in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, are striking due to over 50 reported serious incidents of verbal and physical abuse since September 2023. An unnamed maths teacher said declining pupil behavior left staff with "no choice." Teaching union NASUWT reported six schools in Wales are embroiled in disputes regarding classroom safety.
BBC news, 10 January 2024
Britain: USDAW praises labour's commitment to shopworker safety
Labour has pledged to back a new law safeguarding shopworkers against violence and abuse, mirroring Scotland's legislation. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to amend the Criminal Justice Bill aiming to strengthen protections for shop staff. Usdaw, the retail trade union, praised the Labour party commitment, noting the government's opposition to similar measures.
Usdaw news. 29 November 2023
Britain: Almost half of female transport workers experience sexual harassment
RMT research of 1,400 women in public transport revealed 40 per cent experienced sexual harassment yearly. Owing to scepticism their complaints wouldn't be taken seriously over 70 per cent did not report incidents. A large majority in the survey saw harassment as a growing issue with encounters ranging from from unwanted advances and explicit language to intimidation. Reduced staffing was seen to embolden perpetrators. RMT's General Secretary, Mick Lynch, has called for increased staffing and reduced lone working arrngements.
RMT news, 25 November 2023
Britain: New law protects workers from sexual harassment
MPs have approved a new law that puts a duty on bosses to stop sexual harassment - instead of relying on employees to report incidents. Following opposition from the house of lords the bill was watered down to scrap a section that would make employers liable for third party harassment and reworded the requirement for employers to take "reasonable steps." Reasonable steps may include training on and investigations into harassment. There will be a 25 per cent uplift to sexual harassment compensation where reasonable steps aren't taken. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who introduced the now approved bill told MPs: "I cannot stand here and say that I am completely happy with the amendments. But if I did not accept them the bill would not progress into law, and that would be a lot worse."
BBC news, 21 October 2023
Britain: Union win in sight on exclusion of offending MPs
A House of Commons Commission report has brought a step closer the prospect of excluding from parliament MPs accused of serious offences such as rape or other violent crimes. The report, whose recommendations are to be voted on by MPs, proposes having a risk assessment on exclusion for any MP accused of serious crimes.
Prospect news release. House of Commons Commission news release and report. 7 June 2023
Britain: Thousands of ambulance workers attacked
Austerity-hit ambulance staff have been subjected to thousands of violent attacks while working in recent years, a GMB investigation has revealed. Crews were bitten, head-butted, spat at and struck with weapons at least 9,565 times across Britain and Northern Ireland between 2017-18 and 2021-22, freedom of information requests found; the research also shows 1,248 sexual assaults were recorded.
GMB news release. Morning Star. 7 June 2023
Britain: Prospect condemns abuse of UEFA referee
Prospect has condemned the abuse faced by referee Anthony Taylor following the 31 May UEFA Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma. Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “The abuse Anthony Taylor and his family received travelling back from Budapest following the UEFA Europa League final was utterly disgraceful,” adding: “No-one should face threats or abuse for doing their job, nor should they have to fear for the safety of their family.”
Prospect news release. The Mirror. 7 June 2023
Britain: Prison officer compensated after attempted murder
A prison officer who suffered horrendous head injuries and psychological trauma after being violently attacked by a prison inmate, has secured a six-figure compensation settlement with the help of his union, the Prison Officers Association (POA). Derek Walker, 48, was brutally attacked by a prisoner at HMP Wayland, near Thetford, in July 2017, with the prisoner responsible convicted of attempted murder in July 2019.
Thompsons Solicitors news release. 7 June 2023
Britain: calls pupil violent behaviour summit
Scottish teaching union EIS has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish government is to convene a summit on violent behaviour by pupils in schools in the coming weeks, but has said it is just a ‘first step’. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said violent incidents have been increasing, noting: “Schools must be safe places to learn and to teach, safe spaces for students and staff alike, not least because health and safety legislation requires it.”
EIS news releases. Scottish government news release. 31 May 2023
Britain: Rise in shoplifting is driving shop violence
Retail union Usdaw has warned a rise in shoplifting is driving an increase in violence against shopworkers. The union is concerned that police crime statistics show a significant increase in shoplifting across England and Wales in the 12 months to December 2022.
Usdaw news release. Morning Star. 24 May 2023
Britain: ‘Shocking’ epidemic of sexual assault in the NHS
NHS trusts recorded more than 35,000 cases of rape, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and abusive remarks between 2017 and 2022, a joint investigation by The BMJ and the Guardian has found. Responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from 212 NHS trusts and 37 police forces in England, show that a total of 35,606 sexual safety incidents were recorded on NHS premises over this five year period.
Ingrid Torjesen and Adele Waters. Investigation: Medical colleges and unions call for inquiry over “shocking” levels of sexual assault in the NHS, BMJ, volume 381, page 1105, 2023.
Simon Fleming. Opinion: With sexual harassment or assault, what you permit, you promote, BMJ, volume 381, page 1117, 2023. Published 23 May 2023.
Rosalind Searle. Opinion: How many more people will be abused before we act on sexual violence in healthcare?, BMJ, volume 381, page 1094, 2023.
The Guardian. 24 May 2023
Britain: Tube workers facing threats of violence
Rail union RMT has called on Transport for London (TfL) to end its cuts programme, which is forcing repeated station closures across the London Underground network, exposing staff up to abuse from frustrated passengers. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Frustration amongst the travelling public has boiled over in some cases to nasty threats of violence and verbal abuse of our members, something RMT will not tolerate.”
RMT news release. 24 May 2023
Britain: Autism worker gets payout after attack
A UNISON member who suffered permanent arm injuries after being pushed over by a care home resident, has secured £30,000 in compensation. Elizabeth ‘Bet’ Hoyles, a 70-year-old former autism support worker, was attacked by a resident at Autism Hampshire care home in August 2018, leaving the 23-year veteran with ongoing pain in her arm and struggling with ‘debilitating psychological issues’.
Thompsons Solicitors news release. 17 May 2023
Britain: Most young women sexually harassed at work
Almost two in three young women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work, according to a TUC poll. However, most victims do not report it for fear of not being believed or of damaging their relationships at work or their career prospects, the union body said.
TUC news release. The Guardian. 17 May 2023
Britain: FBU drive to tackle harassment and bullying
Firefighters’ union FBU has launched a major drive to tackle discrimination in the fire service. FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said that firefighters had lost faith in Chief Fire Officers or the government ending the abuse, after decades of failure on the issue and unveiled plans to investigate the sector itself, and to tackle discrimination, harassment and bullying of firefighters.
FBU news release. 17 May 2023
Britain: Physios urged to ‘call out microaggressions’
A new campaign by the physiotherapists’ union CSP is aiming ‘to reduce microaggressions faced by CSP members in order to improve their working lives.’ “Our insight showed CSP members face microaggressions regularly, with around a third experiencing them on a weekly basis,” the union said.
CSP microaggressions campaign webpage. 17 May 2023
USA: Posties demand action as robberies surge
Robberies of US postal carriers surged 78 per cent to nearly 500 in 2022, according US Postal Inspection Service figures. Commenting on the statistics obtained by the Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act, Paul Barner, the postal union’s executive vice president, said letter carriers “demand solutions now,” adding: “While we will continue to engage with the Postal Service and relevant law enforcement agencies to develop measures that will enhance the safety of letter carriers, the fear and the danger that letter carriers are confronting has to end.”
PBS News. WBUR Radio. The Independent. 10 May 2023
Britain: Majority of NHS trusts poor on harassment prevention
Only one of 199 NHS trusts in England provides dedicated training to prevent sexual harassment, according to research. The University of Cambridge study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, found that the vast majority of NHS trusts did not provide any dedicated training to prevent sexual harassment.
Ava Robertson and Sarah Steele. A cross-sectional survey of English NHS Trusts on their uptake and provision of active bystander training including to address sexual harassment, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, first published online 4 May 2023. The Guardian. 10 May 2023
USA: Attacks on Florida gig workers raise fears
Recent incidents in Florida where delivery app workers have been shot or injured while making deliveries have raised safety fears among gig workers across the US. The ride share and food delivery companies claim that these violent instances are very rare, however, some app-based workers have expressed increased concerns regarding their safety.
AP News. 4 May 2023
Britain: Teachers take action over bullying
Teachers at Durham High School for Girls have taken strike action over bullying and intimidation by school management. NASUWT members at the private school say they have been subject to long-standing ‘adverse’ management practices and treatment which has undermined their wellbeing, health and safety.
NASUWT news release. 4 May 2023
Britain: Nearly half of bus workers abused at work
Almost half (48 per cent) of bus workers have experienced incidents of workplace abuse in the last two years, an RMT survey has revealed. The most common form of abuse suffered was verbal (90 per cent), over a fifth were spat and over 10 per cent had experienced a physical assault.
RMT news release. 4 May 2023
Britain: Government must deliver sexual harassment rules
Unions and women’s groups have warned the government not to abandon essential legislation on workplace sexual harassment, following reports ministers will allow the Worker Protection Bill to fall following objections from Conservative backbenchers. The Bill would introduce a legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and to protect staff from third party harassment by clients and customers.
TUC news release. Community news release. CSP news release. Musicians’ Union news release.
ACTION: The Fawcett Society is calling on the public to write to their MP asking for them to support the Bill. Further information. 4 May 2023
Britain: CBI hired 'toxic' staff and failed to sack offenders
The UK's biggest business group has admitted it hired “culturally toxic” staff and failed to fire people who sexually harassed female colleagues. The CBI said a failure to act allowed a “very small minority” of staff to believe they could get away with harassment or violence against women.
CBI open letter. Personnel Today. BBC News Online. The Guardian. 26 April 2023
Britain: No backtracking on sexual harassment laws
The government must not backtrack on promised new sexual harassment laws, the TUC has warned. The union body has told the government that it would be “shameful” if it failed to strengthen the law. According to a 24 April report in the Financial Times, ministers will allow The Worker Protection Bill to fall – despite previously vowing to support the legislation that will introduce a new preventative duty on employers to tackle harassment and abuse in the workplace.
TUC news release. Usdaw news release. Financial Times. Government consultation on Worker Protection Bill. 26 April 2023
Britain: Usdaw demands action on sexual harassment
More proactive and robust action is needed from employers to shift workplace cultures and to stop sexual harassment at work, Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has said. Writing in the Morning Star, he noted “we are calling on the government to stand by its 2021 commitment to introduce a new preventative duty on employers and reinstate the protections from third party harassment removed in 2013 to the Equality Act.”
Morning Star. 26 April 2023
Britain: FDA inquiry call on ministerial bullying
Following the resignation of Dominic Raab, after Rishi Sunak received a report on 20 April that upheld claims the deputy prime minister bullied civil servants, the union FDA has called for reform of the complaints procedure and for and inquiry in to ministerial bullying. FDA general secretary Dave Penman said: “This resignation is not a vindication of the current system, it’s a damning indictment of the inadequacy of a process that relies solely on the prime minister of the day to enforce standards.”
FDA news release. BBC Breakfast. BBC News Online. Newsnight. Channel 4 News. ITV News. The Guardian. The Independent. 26 April 2023
Britain: PM needs to end government’s ‘toxic culture’
Civil service union Prospect has called on Rishi Sunak to end the toxic culture at the top of government. General secretary Mike Clancy said: “There has been a toxic culture at the top of government for too long with civil servants and public trust paying the price for this chaos. The prime minister now needs to clean out the rest of the stables.”
Prospect news release. 26 April 2023
Britain: Usdaw joins #Shopkind campaign
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the 19 April launch of national #ShopKind Week, which encourages shoppers to treat staff with respect. New polling reveals that more than one in three people believe that shopping has become more frustrating as a result of the cost of living crisis and 36 per cent of customers have personally witnessed a shopworker being verbally or physically abused by another customer.
Usdaw news release. ShopKind Week. 19 April 2023
Britain: Teachers should not have to tolerate violent pupils
More than one in ten (13 per cent) teachers have been physically assaulted by a pupil in the last year, research by NASUWT has revealed. The NASUWT’s Big Question Survey also showed that teachers have in the last year been subjected to, pushing/shoving (22 per cent), threats of physical assault (19 per cent), and verbal abuse (58 per cent) by pupils.
NASUWT news release. Morning Star. 12 April 2023
Britain: Fears sexual harassment law could be dropped
The government has been urged to protect vulnerable workers as media reports indicate ministers may backtrack on plans to strengthen workplace sexual harassment laws. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It would be utterly shameful if the government allows this bill to fall.”
Update from the This is Not Working Alliance on the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill. The Telegraph. The Observer. Morning Star. 12 April 2023
Britain: Bullying and toxic culture at NHS trust
Repeated cases of bullying and a toxic environment at one of England's largest NHS trusts have been found in a review. The independent rapid review headed by Prof Mike Bewick highlighted “a culture that is corrosively affecting morale” at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB).
independent Bewick rapid review. University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) statement. BBC News Online. 5 April 2023
Britain: Fire service bullying and abuse widespread
Staff at a quarter of fire and rescue services in England have reported alleged racist, homophobic and misogynistic behaviour in their ranks in the past five years, inspectors have said. Roy Wilsher of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said he was “shocked and appalled” by the findings and urged the sector to “get a grip” on how it handles misconduct.
FBU news release. Values and culture in fire and rescue services, HMICFRS, 30 March 2023. BBC News Online. The Guardian. Morning Star. 5 April 2023
Britain: Ikea UK deal with EHRC on sexual harassment
Ikea UK has made an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to improve its sexual harassment policies and practices after a complaint by a former employee. As part of the agreement, Ikea UK – which 22 stores in the UK and more than 11,700 staff - has committed to reviewing the way it deals with sexual harassment and meeting its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, the EHRC said in a statement.
EHRC news release. BBC News Online. The Guardian. 29 March 2023
Britain: Wales TUC action on sexual harassment
A new toolkit on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace has been launched by Wales TUC. The union body said the resource, co-authored with Welsh Women’s Aid, will give workers in Wales the information they need to tackle this problem in the workplace.
Wales TUC news release. 29 March 2023
Britain: Union alarm at ‘disturbing’ rise in shoplifting
Retail trade union Usdaw has said it is deeply concerned by new figures revealing record levels of shop theft in convenience stores last year. It says the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) findings add to evidence from police recorded crime statistics showing increases in shoplifting over the last year, ending a decade-long downward trend.
ACS news release. Usdaw news release. 29 March 2023
Britain: Extreme audience behaviour hitting UK theatres
A new survey from theatre union Bectu has uncovered the extent of anti-social behaviour from theatre audiences. Based on responses from over 1,500 workers in the sector, the union found 90 per cent had directly experienced or witnessed poor audience behaviour, and more than 70 per cent felt that the problem is worse post-pandemic.
Bectu news release. 29 March 2023
Britain: Government pledge broken over NHS staff abuse data
NHS staff have accused Conservative MP and current health secretary Steve Barclay of breaking a pledge to publish details of how many of them are abused and assaulted in the course of their work. GMB policy head Laurence Turner said: “How can ministers tackle the problem if they don’t know its scale?”
The Guardian. 22 March 2023
Britain: Staffing on railways vital to protect women
Staffing levels on railways are vital to protect women passengers, the TUC Women’s Conference has heard. Delegates were told that railways in Britain have become profit-driven under the Conservative government, with bosses planning to close most ticket offices and extend driver-only operation (DOO).
Morning Star. 15 March 2023
Britain: Violence, threats and abuse hurt retail workers
Nearly a third of shopworkers are on the verge of quitting due to spiralling levels of in-store violence, threats and abuse, retail union Usdaw has warned. Around 30 per cent are considering a change of job and four in 10 feel anxious at work because of abusive customers, according to Usdaw’s latest annual survey.
Usdaw news release and report. Morning Star. 15 March 2023
Britain: FDA calls for investigation into ministerial bullying
The senior civil servants’ union FDA has asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to conduct an investigation into ministerial bullying in the civil service and the absence of an effective procedure to deal with it. Calling on HSE to intervene, FDA added “over two-thirds (69.3 per cent) of respondents said that if they had to raise a concern about unacceptable behaviour at work by a minister they did not have confidence it would be dealt with fairly.”
FDA news release. The Guardian, BBC News Online, The Times, Sky News, The Herald, MailOnline, The Spectator, The Evening Standard. 7 March 2023
Britain: Call for swift action to protect threatened journalists
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the government and police to act swiftly and robustly to secure the safety of journalists working in the UK for Iran International and the BBC Persian service. The union was commenting after Iran International said in the face of escalation of threats against its journalists, it had closed its London TV studios on the advice of police.
NUJ news release. The Guardian. 22 February 2023
Britain: Union backs plan to bar violent MPs
A proposal that could mean MPs are barred from parliament if they are arrested for a violent or sexual offence has been welcomed by the senior civil servants’ union FDA. In response to a House of Commons commission’s consultation, the Committee on Standards recommended that precautionary exclusion should be considered at the point of arrest, rather than when a parliamentarian is charged.
Committee on Standards report, 10 February 2023. The Guardian. 15 February 2023
Britain: Suspend Raab over bullying claims - union
Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab should be suspended while he is investigated over bullying allegations, a civil service union leader has said. FDA general secretary Dave Penman told the BBC: “If that was any other employee… they would in all likelihood be suspended from their job.”
BBC News Online. Morning Star. 8 February 2023
Britain: McDonald's to be monitored over sexual harassment
Fast food chain McDonald's has signed an agreement with the UK equality watchdog following complaints over how it handled sexual harassment complaints. The move came after concerns were raised by employees via their union BFAWU about inadequate processes to deal with allegations, which led the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to get involved.
BFAWU news release and McDonald’s sexual harassment report form. EHRC news release and information on section 23 agreements. BBC News Online. The Guardian. 8 February 2023
Britain: Better records needed on Scottish schools violence
Scottish teaching union EIS is demanding better recording of violence in schools after it emerged councils could not provide conclusive data to show the extent of the incidents. EIS said it has received reports of rising numbers of violent incidents, but believes teachers have been discouraged from reporting them.
BBC News Online. 1 February 2023
Britain: Rees-Mogg ‘trivialising’ Raab bullying claims
Civil service union FDA has accused former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg of ‘trivialising’ allegations against the deputy prime minister. It was commenting after Rees-Mogg told Sky News “we mustn’t be too snowflakey” about bullying allegations levelled against Dominic Raab, who faces formal complaints involving at least 24 civil servants over alleged bullying in three separate government departments.
The Guardian. The Independent. 1 February 2023
Britain: Women ‘deserve to feel safe’
GMB’s parliamentary staff branch has expressed concern over police vetting procedures after police officer David Carrick admitted rape and sexual assault charges involving 12 women over two decades. The serial rapist used his role as an armed Met Police Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command officer to put fear into his victims.
GMB news release. BBC News Online. 18 January 2023
Britain: Violence towards players ‘completely unacceptable’
The PFA has said that ‘violence towards players is completely unacceptable’ after Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was attacked by a supporter after the north London derby against Tottenham. Footage showed a Spurs fan trying to kick Ramsdale in the back after the Gunners’ 2-0 Premier League win on 15 January.
PFA news release. BBC News Online. 18 January 2023
Britain: Reform needed to protect parliament workers
Pressure is growing for third parties to be allowed to make complaints to Westminster’s sexual misconduct watchdog, after concerns were reignited about parliament’s culture by Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who privately shared a list of 20 ‘sex-pest’ MPs to avoid. Mike Clancy, general secretary of the civil service union Prospect, said: “Trade unions and others in parliament have been warning for many years about a dangerous culture which fails to address sexual misconduct. It is abundantly clear that further reform is needed to protect those working there.”
Prospect news release. The Guardian. Daily Mail. 10 January 2023
Britain: Glasgow latest to ‘get them home safely’
Glasgow City Council has become the latest local authority to back Unite’s Get Me Home Safely campaign. It is the eighth and largest so far to call on employers to provide safe and free transport home for all workers after 11pm.
Unite news release and Get Me Home Safely campaign film. 14 December 2022
Australia: Big progress for women’s workplace safety
A Respect@Work Bill has been passed in Australia’s parliament, signalling the new Labour government’s firm commitment to gender equality. The new law will mean women can earn a living safe from sexual harassment, Australian Unions said.
Australian Unions. 7 December 2022
Global: Violence at work affects one in five
More than one in five people (almost 23 per cent) in employment have experienced violence and harassment at work, whether physical, psychological or sexual, according to a new joint analysis by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF) and Gallup. ‘Experiences of Violence and Harassment at Work: A global first survey’ found 17.9 per cent of employed men and women said they had experienced psychological violence and harassment in their working life, and 8.5 per cent had faced physical violence and harassment.
ILO news release and report, Experiences of Violence and Harassment at Work: A global first survey.
ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206). 7 December 2022
Britain: Disabled council worker gets harassment payout
A disabled council worker who was ‘humiliated’ by a boss has been awarded compensation for ‘injury to feelings’. A tribunal found comments made by Rotherham Council's former assistant chief executive Shokat Lal to Yassir Mahmood amounted to disability-related harassment.
BBC News Online. 7 December 2022
Britain: Scots teachers live in fear of being attacked
Scotland's teachers have been attacked thousands of times in the past year, UNISON figures have revealed. Council staff reported mo re than 22,000 incidents, with the majority of attacks against teachers and classroom assistants. According to the UNISON report, 22,507 violent incidents have been recorded by Scotland’s 32 councils between April 2021 and March 2022. Union leaders are now calling for new legislation and protection for staff.
Daily Record. 7 December 2022
Britain: MP can visit Commons despite serious allegations
A union has expressed concerns that a sitting Conservative MP who has been reported to the police regarding allegations of rape and sexual assault is at liberty to continue to visit the Commons. Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “This highlights yet again that there is no fit-for-purpose process in place to deal with this type of case and make parliament a safe place to work.”
Prospect news release. The Guardian. 7 December 2022
Europe: Stop bosses firing revenge porn victims
Bosses should be prevented from discriminating against victims of revenge porn and other forms of online sexual harassment at work as part of an EU directive on combating violence against women, the Europe-wide union confederation ETUC has said. Employers now routinely carry out online searches for prospective employees, which research has found has resulted in discrimination against victims of cyber violence in the labour market.
ETUC news release. 30 November 2022
Britain: Flawed system for sorting ministerial bad behaviour
There are fundamental problems with the system of dealing with unacceptable ministerial behaviour, civil service union Prospect has said. The union was commenting after the UK government announced it has appointed an independent lawyer, Adam Tolley KC, to look into allegations of bullying against justice secretary Dominic Raab.
Prospect news release. 30 November 2022
Britain: Dominic Raab facing ‘series’ of bullying claims
Dominic Raab is facing multiple fresh complaints from senior civil servants in multiple government departments over allegations of bullying behaviour. Dave Penman, the general secretary FDA union which represents senior civil servants, said “f they are serious allegations about his conduct, that the prime minister has seen, he has to make a decision - is it safe essentially for civil servants to continue to work with him?”
BBC News Online. The Guardian. 30 November 2022
Canada: Trans workers face more violence at work
Canada’s unions are calling attention to the alarming results from the recent national survey on harassment and violence in Canadian workplaces, which revealed that non-binary and trans workers were disproportionately affected. “Two spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non confirming people are bearing the brunt of violence and harassment both within and outside of the workplace,” said Larry Rousseau, executive vice president at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the national union centre that conducted the research.
CLC news release and Workers in Transition guide. 18 November 2022
Britain: Summit calls for respect for shopworkers
A summit of retail employers and their representative bodies, looking at the continuing problem of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers and hosted by Usdaw, has seen the union launch a ‘Protecting Retail Workers: Sharing Best Practices’ guide.
Usdaw news release, Protecting retail workers: Sharing best practice report and Freedom from Fear campaign. Respect for Shopworkers Week, 14-20 November 2022. Morning Star. 18 November 2022
Britain: School strike over failure to protect teachers
Teachers at Bannerman High School in Glasgow are taking industrial action including strikes in response to failures by the employer to address concerns over violent and abusive pupil behaviour. The union had issued instructions to members to refuse to teach pupils who are known by the school to be threatening and abusive - however, Glasgow City Council then wrote to the union’s members to tell them they will be sent home without pay if they refuse to stay in a classroom with a pupil who is threatening their safety.
NASUWT news release. 18 November 2022
Britain: Shop workers face tide of abuse as prices rise
One in three shop workers are shouted at, spat on, threatened or hit every week, according to The Retail Trust. The charity’s survey of more than 1,000 workers found nine out of ten had been the target of abusive behaviour from customers, and more than two-thirds said verbal and physical assaults had increased in the last two years.
Usdaw news release and Respect for Shopworkers Week, 14-20 November 2022. BBC News Online. ITV News. Morning Star. 10 November 2022
Britain: Journalists get safety tips on the go
Journalists’ union NUJ and the Society of Editors have launched a mobile-friendly safety toolkit to help members find advice and information while they are on the move. The free-to-access toolkit is part of the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ action plan to protect journalists from threats of violence and online abuse in the course of their work.
NUJ news release and Journalists Safety Toolkit. 10 November 2022
Britain: Shock at death threats to British-Iranian journalists
Journalists’ union NUJ has pledged to support two British-Iranian journalists working for the UK-based Persian-language TV channel Iran International who have been warned of an ‘imminent, credible risk’ to their lives. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “It is shocking and outrageous that journalists carrying out their work in London are being targeted and facing credible death threats that are clearly emanating from the Iranian state.”
NUJ news release. BBC News Online. The Guardian. 10 November 2022
Gibraltar: No excuse for online abuse of teachers
Teaching union NASUWT has welcomed a statement from the Gibraltar government criticising online abuse of teaching staff. The union is now urging the government, school employers and social media companies to take action immediately to protect teachers and pupils.
NASUWT news release. 3 November 2022
Global: End impunity for crimes against journalists - NUJ
UK journalists’ union NUJ is backing a call for an end to violence against journalists and for those responsible to be held to account. On 2 November 2022, International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the NUJ said it was throwing its weight behind the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) campaign.
NUJ news release. IFJ news release. 3 November 2022
Britain: Aberdeen school action over 'violent' pupils
Teachers at an Aberdeen school are being balloted for industrial action over escalating pupil violence against staff. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said there were serious concerns over the safety of staff at Northfield Academy.
EIS news release. BBC News Online. 3 November 2022
Britain: MPs bullying and humiliating staff, inquiry told
MPs’ staff are being undermined, humiliated and shouted at in public, according to anonymised evidence given to an inquiry by the Speaker of the House of Commons. In submissions to the Speaker’s conference on employment of members’ staff, two unions, Unite and the GMB, said the current system for supporting those who work for MPs was not adequate.
The Guardian. 3 November 2022
Britain: Retail union welcomes #ShopKind campaign
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed an action week involving police forces engaging with local businesses, retailers and the community to raise awareness of business crime. The week-long #ShopKind initiative, which kicked off on 17 October, is organised by the National Business Crime Centre, which represents UK police forces and urges the public to be mindful of shopworkers’ essential role serving the public and emphasises that workers should be treated with respect, kindness and gratitude.
Usdaw news release and Freedom from Fear Campaign. 21 October 2022
Britain: Scottish firework sales restrictions welcomed
Retail trade union Usdaw has given a qualified welcome to new legislation to improve public safety by banning the supply of fireworks to under-18s in Scotland. The union said the law, which came into force on 10 October, must be backed up with support for the shopworkers who have to enforce the law.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1063. 14 October 2022
Britain: Still no way to bar MPs accused of misconduct
The sacking of Conservative trade minister Conor Burns after a complaint of serious misconduct at the Tory party conference has exposed again the need for greater safeguards to protect parliamentary staff, Prospect has said. Mike Clancy, the union’s general secretary, said the case “highlights once again that no formal mechanism exists to prevent MPs accused of this kind of serious misconduct from attending Westminster and interacting with staff, other MPs, visitors and school groups.”
Prospect news release. Risks 1063. 14 October 2022
Global: Unions in action to stamp out harassment
The ground-breaking work of unions to secure the ratification and implementation of a key International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention to tackle violence and harassment in the world of work has been captured by a new ITUC survey and report, as part of the ITUC’s #RatifyC190 campaign. The survey of 107 ITUC-affiliated unions in 70 countries revealed that 97 per cent of trade unions surveyed have worked to secure the ratification and implementation of Convention 190.
ITUC news release. Risks 1061. 29 September 2022
Britain: Labour backs action on violence against public workers
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a decision at the Labour Party conference to support investment in improved protection for public-facing workers, who it says are suffering unprecedented levels of abuse. Speaking at the conference, Usdaw deputy general secretary Dave McCrossen said Yvette Cooper’s 27 September speech to the conference “promising £360 million for community led policing is a real step forward to ensuring victims of crime get the justice they deserve.”
Usdaw news release. Yvette Cooper speech. Risks 1061. 29 September 2022
Britain: Union concern at trade show harassment claims
Stage and screen technical union Bectu has said it is dismayed at reports of sexual harassment and bullying at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) Show. Commenting after this year’s PLASA Show, held at Olympia London from 4-6 September, the union said “bullying and harassment is unacceptable in all its forms and Bectu will always work to stamp out this sort of behaviour, which has no place in our industry.”
Bectu news release. Risks 1060. 23 September 2022
Britain: New PM must tackle harassment in Westminster
The general secretaries of Prospect and FDA trade unions have written to the new prime minister, calling on her to “restore confidence that Parliament, and Westminster politics more broadly, is a safe place to work”. The letter encourages the prime minister to work with the Speaker of the House of Commons and other party leaders to introduce a formal mechanism to prevent MPs accused of serious sexual misconduct from attending Parliament and to “commit to restoring ethics and standards in public life.”
Prospect news release. Risks 1059. 15 September 2022
Britain: Report it to sort it, says Usdaw
Retail trade union Usdaw has marked the first anniversary of a protection of workers law in Scotland coming into force by urging retail staff to report incidents. The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 took effect on 24 August 2021.
Usdaw news release and Freedom From Fear campaign. Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021. 7 September 2022
Britain: New commitment to protect actors
Actors’ union Equity has launched a new ‘Statement of Commitment Against Bullying, Harassment and Inappropriate Behaviour in TV.’ The statement brings together 21 major organisations in the TV industry – both in the UK and internationally – who pledge to tackle workplace bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. It follows a ground-breaking first meeting of representatives from these organisations, called by Equity, to discuss how to contribute to a respectful workplace and to agree how concerns should be raised if there is inappropriate behaviour
Equity news release and Statement of Commitment Against Bullying, Harassment and Inappropriate Behaviour in TV. 23 August 2022
Iran: UN’s ‘grave concern’ over harassment of journalists
The United Nations (UN) has raised its ‘grave concern” over the harassment of BBC Persian Service journalists and has requested an explanation from the Iranian government. The UN communication came after the BBC filed an urgent appeal to the UN in February 2022 about the online violence and gendered attacks faced by women journalists, as well as increased financial pressure from an ongoing asset freeze, which operates as a blunt financial sanction against BBC News Persian journalists and their extended families.
UN communication to Iran. NUJ news release. Risks 1055. 9 August 2022
Britain: Comedian safety is no laughing matter
The performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity has launched a ‘comedian’s charter’ in an effort to ensure good working practices and the safety of performers. Developed by the union’s comedians’ network, the measures included in the charter “will ensure pay transparency, a safe working environment, late-night safety, and anti-harassment and discrimination policies”, according to Equity.
Equity news release and Comedians’ Charter. The Guardian. Morning Star. Risks 1055. 9 August 2022
South Africa: Union action plea after workplace ‘gang-rape’
South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for action to address workplace violence and harassment after the arrest of a gang of armed men that raped eight members of a video production crew in Johannesburg. Over 80 suspects have appeared in court facing charges of 32 counts of rape and attempted murder, with the attackers allegedly part of criminal syndicates that are involved in artisanal and small-scale mining in abandoned mines.
NUM news release. IndustriALL news release. Risks 1054. 3 August 2022
Britain: NUJ welcomes convictions for harassing BBC journalist
The journalists’ union NUJ has welcomed the conviction of five men and a woman responsible for intimidating BBC Newsnight journalist Nick Watt in June last year. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “The harassment of Nick was completely unacceptable and convictions against those responsible should send a clear message – that journalists must not be targets because of the work they do and that attacks will not go unpunished.”
Met Police statement. NUJ news release. Press Gazette. Risks 1054. 3 August 2022
Britain: Worrying spike in shoplifting shows need for action
Usdaw has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ by a sharp increase in shoplifting and is calling for action to protect retail staff. Latest police recorded crime statistics show that in the 12 months to March 2022 there was a 21 per cent increase in shoplifting over the previous year.
Usdaw news release. 26 Jul 2022
Britain Newcastle pubs must get staff home safe
Pubs, bars and restaurants in Newcastle will have to make sure staff get home safely after a late shift if they want an alcohol licence. Under new rules signed off by the city council in response to a Unite ‘Get me home safely’ campaign, all late-night venues that serve alcohol will have to provide free transport home for staff finishing work after 11.30pm, when public transport ends in the city.
The Big Issue. Unite Get me home safely campaign. Risks 1052. 19 July 2022
Britain: Transport workers demand extra protection
Transport workers are demanding the same legislative protection as emergency service staff when it comes to assaults. Delegates at the RMT’s annual meeting agreed overwhelmingly that having transport workers covered by the Emergency Workers (Offences) Act would mean stronger sentencing guidelines for offenders at a time when assaults on staff are “through the roof,” according to RMT surveys.
Morning Star. 13 July 2022
Britain: Parliament ‘an unsafe workplace’, say unions
Parliament must act to stop the ‘seemingly endless’ allegations of sexual misconduct by MPs as political parties cannot be trusted to make it a safe place to work, two unions have warned. As No 10 admitted Boris Johnson had known about allegations against Chris Pincher before making him deputy chief whip, the FDA and Prospect said politicians were time and again failing to “deal properly with sexual misconduct by one of their own”.
Prospect news release. The Guardian. 5 July 2022
Britain: Schools failing to tackle poor pupil behaviour
Teachers are warning of a rise in poor and problematic pupil behaviour in schools across Wales following the pandemic, which is leaving teachers exposed to increased abuse. Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “Where employers do not fulfil their duty of care to our members we will have no hesitation in taking steps, including taking refusal to teach ballots, in order to protect their health and welfare from abuse and violence.”
NASUWT news release. 5 July 2022
Britain: Only half of firms have a policy on abuse of LGBT staff
A new TUC poll has revealed a widespread lack of support for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) staff at work. The survey found only half (51 per cent) of managers surveyed told the TUC they have a policy prohibiting discrimination, bullying and harassment against LGBT workers; but less than half (47 per cent) said they have a clear reporting route for workers to raise concerns on these issues – even though one in seven (15 per cent) managers have responded to bullying, harassment or discrimination against one or more LGBT workers.
TUC news release. Morning Star. 5 July 2022
Britain: Shocking scale of abuse facing frontline staff
Abuse and violence towards shop workers and service staff is on the rise again, research shows, with a quarter of those reporting hostility blaming the cost of living crisis putting increased stress on customers. Figures from the trade body the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) revealed 44 per cent of frontline retail staff have experienced hostility from customers in the past six months – up by a quarter from the figure of 35 per cent in February.
Usdaw news release. The Guardian. 29 June 2022
Britain: Violence against shopworkers more than tripled
Violence and abuse against shopworkers more than tripled during the pandemic as social distancing and face mask restrictions were enforced, according to new figures. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the number of incidents surged to 1,301 each day in the year to March 2021, from 455 per day a year earlier.
Usdaw news release. BRC news release. Morning Star. 8 June 2022
Britain: Fishers beaten and exploited on UK boats
A third of migrant workers on UK fishing vessels work 20-hour shifts, and 35 per cent report regular physical violence, according to new research that concludes there is rampant exploitation and abuse on British ships. Researchers at the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, which focuses on modern slavery, found more than 60 per cent of fishers - including UK nationals - said they would never report a grievance out of fear of being blacklisted and refused re-employment.
University of Nottingham news release and report, Letting Exploitation Off the Hook, University of Nottingham Rights Lab, May 2022. ITF news release and report, A one way ticket to labour exploitation: how transit visa loopholes are being used to exploit migrant fishers on UK fishing vessels, May 2022. The Guardian. 18 May 2022
Britain: Rail staff could boycott line over safety fears
Rail staff could refuse to work on services between Balloch and Glasgow that have been blighted by disruptive passenger behaviour. RMT regional organiser Mick Hogg issued the warning, as he outlined fears that it could only be a matter of time before a member of Scotrail staff is seriously injured or killed as a result of violent behaviour on train services.
Daily Record. 18 May 2022
Britain: School strike warning over violence and abuse
NASUWT members could be left with no option but to consider strike action at a Glasgow school if effective steps are not taken to address violent and disruptive pupil behaviour and protect the safety and welfare of teachers, their union has said. Union members at Bannerman High School have been engaged in action short of a strike since October 2021, citing the employer’s failure to address persistent verbal and physical assaults and violence against staff from pupils.
NASUWT news release. 18 May 2022
Britain: Arrested MP should be made to stay away
MPs under investigation for alleged abuse behaviour must be suspended from parliament, the union Prospect has said. The union was speaking out after an MP was bailed after his arrest on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, with only a voluntary agreement in place with Conservative Party whips that he will stay away.
Prospect news release. BBC News Online. 18 May 2022
Britain: Welcome move to tackle film and TV harassment
The union Bectu has welcomed a Creative UK and UK Time’s Up’s consultation with creative industries for an Independent Standards Authority (ISA) to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment and drive greater accountability across the sector. After a year of talks involving UK Time’s Up, BAFTA, BFI and others, the industry is now in final consultation regarding setting up the watchdog, which would have the power to investigate allegations of abuse.
Bectu news release. Risks 1044. 10 May 2022
Britain: Scale of abuse of public-facing workers confirmed
An Institute of Customer Service survey has found that abuse of public-facing workers remains high and is still hugely under reported. The survey of over 1,100 workers suggested that half do not report incidents of abuse and hostility mainly because workers did not believe it would make a difference, or incidents happen too regularly to be worth reporting.
ICS Service with Respect campaign. Usdaw news release. Risks 1043. 4 May 2022
Britain: Securitas workers protected by domestic abuse charter
Securitas has signed up to GMB’s Work to Stop Domestic Abuse charter, following a campaign by GMB London members. The deal gives the security giant’s 9,000 workers the right to 10 days paid leave when facing domestic violence or abusive behaviours.
GMB news release. Risks 1042. 26 April 2022
Britain: Teacher awarded £850,000 for pupil attack trauma
A London academy teacher has been awarded £850,000 in compensation after being punched in the face and kicked during a science lesson by a pupil with a history of violence towards other children and teachers. The attack at the unidentified school was so severe it left the teacher with severe psychological trauma that resulted in him being sectioned twice under the Mental Health Act for his own safety, his union NASUWT said.
The Guardian and related NASUWT news release. Risks 1041. 20 April 2022
Britain: Avanti boss urged to withdraw see through uniforms
Transport and travel union TSSA has called on Avanti West Coast to abandon see through uniforms after an outcry from women members and union reps. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes has written to the rail company telling it to ditch the blouses, which women staff members have described as “disgraceful” and “appalling.”
TSSA news release and earlier news release. Risks 1041. 20 April 2022
Canada: Survey reports widespread violence at work
Research conducted by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and academics has identified a major violence and harassment problem in the country’s workplaces. The National Survey on Harassment and Violence at Work, run by CLC and researchers from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto, includes responses from nearly 5,000 workers and revealed 7 in 10 workers have experienced a form of harassment and violence at work, with nearly 1 in 2 workers has experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last two years.
CLC news release. Risks 1039. 6 April 2022
Britain: Crime report confirms shop violence crisis
A Home Office report has found that attacks against shopworkers significantly increased during the pandemic, with workers experiencing high levels of verbal abuse, threats and violence, confirming union and industry findings. Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the retail union Usdaw, commented: “Faced with such appallingly high levels of violence and abuse and so many shopworkers lacking confidence in the system providing the protection they need, the government must ensure that retail employers, police and the courts work together to make stores safe.”
Usdaw news release. Home Office Crime against businesses: findings from the 2021 Commercial Victimisation Survey, 30 March 2022. Risks 1039. 6 April 2022
Britain: Business and transport failing late-night workers
Nearly six in ten workers (58 per cent) report that their employers have never provided them with safe transport home after work, a new poll for Unite has found. The union poll also confirmed that people feel it has become less safe when travelling home at night and that public transport is not a decent option because there are too few staff (51 per cent), the wait for a bus or train is too long (48 per cent), streets and stations are badly lit (44 per cent) and the services are unreliable (45 per cent).
Unite news release and Get me home safely campaign. Agreement reached after negotiations between Unite and East Dunbartonshire council. Risks 1038. 29 March 2022
Britain: BBC appeals to UN over online abuse of women journalists
The BBC World Service has filed a new urgent appeal to the United Nations (UN) against Iran over the online violence faced by women journalists working for BBC News Persian. It says women journalists at BBC News Persian face daily, relentless online attacks and harassment, including threats of rape and death.
NUJ news release. Risks 1037. 24 March 2022
Britain: Usdaw calls for action to end to gender violence
Usdaw has called for action on the ‘appalling scale and scope’ of violence against women and girls. The retail union’s comments came at Labour’s women’s conference.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1037. 24 March 2022
Ukraine: US reporter shot and killed
An award-winning US journalist working in Ukraine, Brent Renaud, has been shot dead in Irpin, outside Kyiv. Ukrainian police said the journalist was targeted on 13 March by Russian soldiers.
IFJ news release. IFJ/EFJ Ukraine safety fund. NUJ news release and war zone safety information. Risks 1036. 16 March 2022
Britain: UK ratifies violence at work treaty
The TUC has welcomed the UK government signing on to a international treaty on prevention of violence at work. Commenting on the 7 March ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention – Convention 190 - TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It now comes down to the action and enforcement that follows.”
TUC news release. ITUC Convention 190 campaign toolkit.
ILO Convention 190, Violence and harassment convention 2019. Risks 1035. 9 March 2022
Britain: STUC reveals ‘shocking’ data on sexual harassment
Scotland’s national union body STUC has revealed survey data exposing widespread sexual harassment in the country’s workplaces, the systemic under-reporting of sexual harassment by victims and the risks faced by women travelling to and from work. The STUC found 45 per cent of women had experienced sexual harassment at work, with a third of respondents experiencing it at work within the last year.
STUC news release and full report and recommendations. Risks 1035. 9 March 2022
Britain: Shop violence high and often unreported
Abuse, threats and violence against shopworkers remain high, but confidence in reporting incidents is low, a union survey has found. The ‘shocking’ results of the 2021 annual survey of nearly 3,500 retail staff by the shopworkers’ union Usdaw found in the 12-month period 90 per cent of respondents reported they had experienced verbal abuse, and almost two-thirds (64 per cent) had been threatened by a customer.
Usdaw news release and full Freedom from Fear 2021 survey findings and campaign. ACS news release and The Crime Report 2022, 8 March 2022. Risks 1035. 9 March 2022
Britain: Powerful must be held to account
A report into former Commons Speaker John Bercow that found that he was a “serial bully” has been welcomed by the union Prospect. Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, which represents staff in parliament, responded: “The findings of the Independent Expert Panel underline the importance and the need to hold individuals to account, irrespective of their status.”
Prospect news release. UK Parliament news release. Independent Expert Panel (IEP) report. Risks 1035. 9 March 2022
Britain: BA workers spat at and abused as tech crashes
GMB members working for British Airways have been spat and abused as the airline cancelled flights following IT problems last weekend. The union said the blame lies with the airline’s decision to outsource IT systems to India in 2016 - as well as years of chronic under-investment in the business.
GMB news release. Risks 1034. 2 March 2022
Britain: UCU condemns 'endemic’ bullying at Imperial
Lecturers’ union UCU has condemned an ‘endemic culture of bullying’ at Imperial College London. The union was speaking out after a damning report found Britain’s highest-paid university chief and another senior executive created a culture of favouritism and exclusion at the university.
UCU news release. Redacted report. ICO decision notice. The Guardian. Risks 1032. 9 February 2022
Britain: Assaults on prison staff rise once again
Assaults on prison staff in England and Wales are on the rise once again, latest UK government figures show. The number of assaults on staff increased by 5 per cent to 2,110 incidents - an average of almost 23 assaults on staff every day in the quarter to September 2021.
Community news release. Safety in custody: quarterly update to September 2021, Ministry of Justice/HMPPS figures, 27 January 2022. Risks 1031. 2 February 2022
Britain: Investigation into work sexual harassment in Wales
Unions in Wales have launched an investigation into the sexual harassment that workers face at work. The first stage of this work is a new survey, launched by the Wales TUC.
Wales TUC news release. Risks 1031. 2 February 2022
Britain: Anonymous tool for VOA harassment reporting
‘Shocking accounts’ of sexual harassment of workers at a government agency have led to the introduction of a new tool for reporting incidents anonymously. Civil service union PCS, working with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), has developed the resource to support staff uncomfortable using official reporting processes.
PCS news release. Risks 1030. 26 January 2022
Britain: Shopworker anguish at policing age-restricted sales
Retail trade union Usdaw says its members are worried by the prospect of criminal prosecution or disciplinary action if shopworkers get a decision about the sale of an age restricted product wrong. Asking customers for proof of age identification or refusing a sale of an age-restricted product can be a key flashpoint for abuse, threats and violence against shopworkers, the union says.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1029. 19 January 2022
Britain: Scottish shopworkers law gains must be extended
A Scottish law introduced to protect shopworkers from violence and abuse has had a marked impact on reporting of cases which must be further encouraged, the retail union Usdaw has said. It says new figures from the Scottish Business Resilience Centre show 285 incidents of abuse or threats against shopworkers in Scotland in the three months after the Protection of Workers Act came into force in August 2021.
Usdaw news release and Freedom from Fear Campaign. Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021.
Morning Star. BBC News Online. Risks 1028. 12 January 2022
Britain: Sexual violence ‘endemic’ on campuses
Sexual violence is endemic in the UK's university and college workplaces and employers must do more to tackle it, the union UCU has said. A new report from the union found 1 in 10 university and college staff surveyed had directly experienced workplace sexual violence in the past five years, whilst around a quarter of staff knew a staff member who had experienced sexual violence at their college or university workplace.
UCU news release. Risks 1027. 4 January 2022
Britain: Court rules PM didn’t say Patel wasn’t a bully
The union for senior civil servants has lost its High Court challenge to Boris Johnson's decision to back Priti Patel over claims she bullied staff, but has said parts of the ruling still amounted to a ‘major victory’. The FDA said the court had in an “unexpected development... found that the prime minister had not acquitted the home secretary of bullying.”
FDA judicial review webpage. BBC News Online. Union News. Risks 1025. 8 December 2021
Britain: New hope for a protection of shopworkers law
After years of opposition to a union campaign for a new law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse, the UK government on 2 December announced it will seek to address the issue with an amendment to the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill in the House of Lords. Retail union Usdaw said it is looking at the wording of the amendment and is keen to work with the government and members of the House of Lords to ensure that the draft provisions ‘deliver the protections retail workers deserve.’
Usdaw news release. Risks 1025. 8 December 2021
Britain: New union safety tool to protect journalists
Journalists’ union NUJ has launched an online interactive tool to help journalists’ deal with hostile environments and cyber threats. To help journalists minimise the risks they encounter – from conflict zones to the cyber battlefront – the NUJ said it was launching Storysmart, a suite of free online training modules, produced with financial support from the Google News Initiative.
NUJ news release and Storysmart interactive modules. Risks 1025. 8 December 2021
Britain: STUC targets sexual harassment in the workplace
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has kicked off a campaign to expose the extent of sexual harassment in the workplace. The STUC women’s committee has launched a survey calling for women in Scotland to share their experiences of harassment at work as part of the research and is hoping to use the findings to understand how it can be tackled most effectively in Scotland.
STUC news release. Morning Star. Risks 1025. 8 December 2021
Global: Call to end gender-based violence at work
Unions worldwide embarked on 16 days of activism on 25 November to press governments to sign up to a landmark legal standard on the prevention of violence and harassment in the world of work. Global union federation ITUC said so far nine governments have ratified the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190, with over 20 governments in the process of doing so.
ITUC news release and campaign tool kit. EI news release. IFJ news release. IndustriALL news release. ITF news release. IUF news release. PSI news release. ETUC news release. Risks 1024. 1 December 2021
Britain: Proper rail staffing needed to protect women
Rail union TSSA has demanded the UK government make railways safer for female passengers by stopping planned cuts to station staff. The call on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women came after government research published earlier this year showed that 28 per cent of all sexual harassment incidents took place on the railway system.
TSSA news release. Risks 1024. 1 December 2021
Britain: Rail unions warning on ‘epidemic’ of harassment
Rail unions have called for action to tackle a rise in sexual harassment of passengers and workers on public transport. Commenting on 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – RMT said its survey exposed a growing epidemic of sexual harassment. The survey of women public transport workers - on rail, London Underground, metro, bus and passenger ferry services - found that a ‘massive’ 70 per cent were aware of passengers being sexually harassed on public transport in the last five years, with more than 50 per cent saying they were aware of multiple instances.
RMT news release. Risks 1024. 1 December 2021
Britain: Usdaw backs #ShopKind campaign
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the Christmas launch of the national #ShopKind campaign, which encourages shoppers to treat staff with respect when they visit high streets. New polling by the Home Office-funded campaign reveals that over one third of shoppers (38 per cent) have witnessed violence and abuse against shopworkers.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1023. 23 November 2021
Britain: Peers add to pressure for shopworker protection
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed cross-party support from peers for two protection of shopworkers amendments to the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The amendments, debated of 17 November in the House of Lords, were moved by Lord Coaker (Labour) and Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative), with supportive speeches made by Lord Lea (Independent), Baroness Bennett (Green) and Baroness Jolly (Lib Dem).
Usdaw news release. Morning Star. Risks 1023. 23 November 2021
Britain: Six demands to beat bullying in film and TV
Film and TV technicians’ union Bectu has launched a six-point plan to help tackle harassment and bullying in the industry. The union says its #UnseenOnScreen campaign has shown that all forms of harassment and bullying remains prevalent. The union’s six demands on production companies, broadcasters and studios seek to prevent and address all forms of harassment and bullying.
Bectu news release. Risks 1023. 23 November 2021
Britain: UK ratifies prevention of violence at work treaty
The TUC has welcomed the UK ratification of an international treaty on prevention of violence and harassment at work. The union body was commenting after work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey told the Commons the UK was putting measures in train to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 on violence and harassment.
TUC news release. Statement by Thérèse Coffey, secretary of state for work and pensions, 15 November 2021. NUJ news release.
ILO Convention 190, Violence and harassment convention 2019. Risks 1022. 17 November 2021
Britain: Violence against shopworkers widespread but unreported
Almost nine out of ten shopworkers have faced abuse at work in the last year but nearly half are not confident that reporting abuse to their employer will make a difference, a survey by the retail union Usdaw has found. The interim results of the union’s annual survey, based on responses from nearly 3,500 retail staff, show that in the last twelve months 89 per cent have experienced verbal abuse, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) have been threatened by a customer and over one in ten (11 per cent) have been assaulted.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1022. 17 November 2021
Britain: Most journalists have faced threat and violence
Four in five journalists have experienced threats and violence at work, a UK government survey has found. The situation was worse for women, the survey suggested, with over one in three female respondents reporting they do not feel safe operating as a journalist in the UK.
NUJ news release. Call for evidence report, Home Office/DCMS, November 2021. Risks 1021. 10 November 2021
Britain: Tube staff face routine violence
Over threequarters (76 per cent) of staff in public facing roles on London’s Underground and Transport for London (TfL) rail networks have been subjected to violence at work since the pandemic began, according to an RMT survey, with half of these reporting that it has happened multiple times. The results of the survey, published in a new union report and including testimony from frontline workers, reveal that more than half of staff reported being threatened with physical violence, 28 per cent reported being racially harassed, 14 per cent reported being spat at or targeted with bodily fluids and 7 per cent had been sexually assaulted.
RMT news release. Violence against London Underground, Overground and TfL staff during the Coronavirus pandemic, RMT policy brief, 9 November 2021. Risks 1021. 10 November 2021
Britain: Action call after transport harassment reports rocket
A huge increase in reports of sexual harassment across public transport networks since the start of the pandemic shows urgent action is necessary, transport and travel union TSSA has said. The union was commenting after new statistics from the British Transport Police (BTP) revealed that reports of sexual harassment on public transport have increased by 63 per cent in summer 2021 compared to the same pre-pandemic period two years earlier.
TSSA news release. BBC News Online. Morning Star. Risks 1021. 10 November 2021
Britain: Teachers in safety strike at secure unit
Teachers at a Nottingham secure unit have taken strike action over ‘adverse management practices’, including the failure to deal with poor pupil behaviour which the union NASUWT says is affecting the health, safety and wellbeing of its members. Commenting on the treatment of teaching staff at Clayfields House Secure Unit, Anne Thompson, NASUWT’s national executive member for Nottingham, said the strike action was ‘a last resort’, adding: “The NASUWT urges the employer to take the actions necessary to protect the safety and welfare of staff and resolve this dispute.”
NASUWT news release. Nottingham Post. Risks 1021. 10 November 2021
Global: Tea giant fails to halt Malawi sex abuse claims
The UK High Court has refused a bid by the British owners of a company which runs tea and macadamia nut plantations in Malawi to effectively end women’s claims of systemic sex abuse by limiting their legal costs. PGI Group Ltd, the UK-based parent company of Malawian tea company Lujeri, applied for the women’s future recoverable costs in their court case to be limited to £150,000.
Leigh Day news release. Risks 1019. 26 October 2021
Britain: Customer-facing workers report rising hostility
People in public-facing jobs are facing rising hostility and verbal abuse since the end of the Covid lockdowns, according to organisations that represent them. Half of all shop, transport, restaurant and hotel workers and others dealing regularly with the public have experienced abuse in the past six months, figures from the Institute for Customer Service (ICS) show.
The Guardian. ICS Service with Respect campaign. Risks 1019. 26 October 2021
Global: ITF condemns assault on inspector
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has condemned an incident where one of its inspectors was physically assaulted by a ship’s Master and has said it would now review the safety of all its inspectors. ITF has 134 inspectors, coordinators, and union contacts defending the rights of seafarers and helping thousands of seafarers every year.
ITF news release. Risks 1018. 20 October 2021
Britain: Action call on MPs accused of sexual misconduct
Parliamentary unions have written to the Speaker asking him to look again at barring MPs accused of sexual misconduct from the Palace of Westminster. letter from Prospect, the FDA and MPs’ staff branches of GMB and Unite, says the unions believe the time is right to revisit an issue we raised with the Commission last year and at the Women and Equalities Committee as part of its inquiry into a Gender Sensitive Parliament; the potential exclusion from the Parliamentary Estate of MPs who are the subject of investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, or other serious misconduct that might suggest a potential risk to staff.”
Prospect news release. Risks 1018. 20 October 2021
Britain: Journalists covering COP26 given union safety advice
Journalists’ union NUJ has published guidance, health and safety tips and emergency legal numbers for members covering the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow. The union said NUJ members “need to plan accordingly and take appropriate health and safety precautions” against threats and other safety concerns ahead of the fortnight long event starting on 31 October.
NUJ news release and COP26 advice. UK COP26 website. STUC supported COP26 events listing. Risks 1018. 20 October 2021
Britain: Night Tube reopening must be ‘risk assessed’
Plans to partially resume Night Tube service next month must be ‘thoroughly risk assessed’ with full union involvement, the rail union RMT has said. The union was commenting after Transport for London (TfL) announced trains will run through the night on Fridays and Saturdays on London Underground’s Central and Victoria lines from 27 November.
RMT news release. TSSA news release. The Guardian. Risks 1018. 20 October 2021
Australia: Mental health and violence problems rising
Threats to mental health and workplace violence are high on the list of occupational health and safety risks faced by Australia’s workers, a survey by the national union federation ACTU has found. The union body’s research found that mental health continues to be the fastest growing challenge to the safety of working people in their workplaces, as well as ‘appalling’ rates of workplace violence experienced by the pandemic’s frontline workers.
ACTU news release. Risks 1017. 13 October 2021
Britain: NHS staff face tide of abuse provoked by long waits
NHS staff across the UK are facing a “growing tide of abuse” including assaults from patients, which they say is being caused by frustration at long waits for care. In a strongly worded joint statement, six key medical bodies and staff groups blame patients’ increasingly long delays in receiving treatment on years of successive governments underinvesting in the NHS and not fixing severe workforce shortages.
The Guardian. Risks 1017. 13 October 2021
Britain: Women teachers express safety concerns
Women teachers have concerns about their safety inside and outside of work, the teaching union NASUWT has said. Members discussed the increasing problem of sexual harassment and violence against women at the union’s online Women Teachers’ Consultation Conference, where a real-time poll of delegates found one in ten said they feel “not safe” at work or “concerned and anxious about my safety at work.”
NAWUWT news release and related news release. ILO Convention 190. Risks 1017. 13 October 2021
USA: Air rage epidemic hitting flight attendants
At a congressional subcommittee hearing about the escalation of air rage in the United States, flight attendants painted a stark picture of how unfriendly the skies have become during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Frontline aviation workers have to deal with everything from vulgar language, including racial epithets, to punching, kicking, biting, shoving and spitting from passengers,” Rick Larsen, chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, said in his opening remarks at the hearing.
Forbes magazine. Disruption in the Skies: The Surge in Air Rage and its Effects on Workers, Airlines, and Airports, congressional sub-committee on aviation hearing. Risks 1016. 29 September 2021
Britain: NHS Highland pays out millions to bullied staff
NHS Highland says it expects to pay £3.4m in settlements to current and former staff who have complained of bullying. A Scottish government-commissioned review suggested hundreds of health workers may have experienced inappropriate behaviour.
BBC News Online. Risks 1016. 29 September 2021
Britain: Respect petrol crisis forecourt staff says Usdaw
Retail trade union leader Paddy Lillis has urged the public to respect staff in petrol stations that have been besieged by frustrated and sometime angry motorists. The Usdaw general secretary added that the government “must take responsibility” for the crisis that has seen long queues for the pumps and petrol station closures.
Usdaw news release. BBC News Online. Risks 1016. 29 September 2021
Britain: More strikes loom over Serco bullying
GMB has warned a 24-hour stoppage by refuse workers in Sandwell is set to take place on 6 October over unresolved safety, bullying and pay issues. GMB organiser Justine Jones said: “Serco have shown they are not serious about ending the dispute and resolving outstanding issues on safety, well-being and wages of our key workers in Sandwell Council.”
GMB news release. Risks 1016. 29 September 2021
Britain: Protection of public-facing workers bill welcomed
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the launch of the Abuse of Public-Facing Workers (Offences) Bill by Labour MP Olivia Blake. The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons under the 10-minute rule on 15 September and is scheduled for a second reading on 28 January 2022.
Usdaw news release. BBC News Online. Risks 1015. 23 September 2021
Britain: Routine violence against transport staff exposed
Nearly 60 per cent of rail, bus and ferry workers have been subjected to verbal or physical attack since the start of the pandemic, according to research by the union RMT. The union’s survey of more than 5,000 transport workers showed that most believed that workplace violence has worsened during the pandemic and 73 per cent said they believed the government’s lifting of Covid restrictions and mixed messaging around safety measures had further aggravated the situation.
RMT news release. Risks 1015. 23 September 2021
Britain: Care firm fined after rape while working
Care provider The Action Group has been fined after an employee was abducted, assaulted, sexually assaulted and raped in the course of her duties. The Action Group pleaded guilty to two criminal health and safety offences and at a 22 September sentencing was fined £20,000.
HSE news release. Edinburgh Evening News. Risks 1015. 23 September 2021
Britain: Anti-vaxers hid razor blades in rail posters
Transport union RMT has called for the strongest possible action against the “anti-vaxers and Covid conspiracy theorists” accused of lacing their posters with razor blades in order to injure anyone trying to remove them. The union has raised the issue formally with Transport for London (TfL) and warning bulletins highlighting the danger of injury have been issued to staff by TfL.
RMT news release. Evening Standard. The Guardian. Risks 1014. 16 September 2021
Australia: ‘Management culture’ behind mining harassment
Representatives of the joint union Western Mineworkers Alliance (WMWA) have told a West Australia government inquiry into sexual harassment in the mining industry that the problem is endemic. WMWA representatives Brad Gandy of the Australian Workers’ Union and Greg Busson of the mining and energy union told the inquiry a recent Alliance survey found 1-in-5 women reported they had experienced physical acts of sexual assaults, with the same proportion saying they had been explicitly or implicitly offered career advancement or benefits in return for sexual favours.
AWU news release. WMWA submission. Risks 1014. 16 September 2021
Britain; Retail union hopes for shopworker law
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed interventions from Labour frontbenchers urging the UK government to follow Scotland’s lead and introduce a protection of shopworkers law. Responding to the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill second reading debate in the Lords on 14 September, where several Labour peers urged the government to act, Home Office minister Baroness Williams said “the government has agreed to actively consider whether legislative change is necessary and to bring forward any proposal if it is.”
Usdaw news release. Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – second reading. Risks 1014. 16 September 2021
Britain: Union anger after office hit by anti-vax assault
Prospect has condemned anti-vax protestors who attempted to storm a government agency in London on 3 September. Commenting after the incident at the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is responsible for delivering Covid vaccines to the UK public, Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said: “To see these workers targeted in this way in their workplace is utterly disgraceful, and only further discredits the perpetrators and their false narrative.”
Prospect news release. i News. Metro. Risks 1013. 8 September 2021
Britain: Union investigates harassment at agency
Civil service union PCS is to investigate harassment at the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) after “a number of instances” where workers reported being harassed by individuals not employed by the government body. In an online statement, PCS said the union and its PCS office reps “have agreed to survey our membership to identify how widespread these incidents are and identify any barrier which may be preventing members from reporting cases.”
PCS news release. Risks 1012. 2 September 2021
Britain: New law to protect Scottish shopworkers
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a new law to protect shopworkers in Scotland from violence, threats and abuse. The groundbreaking law, which came into force on 24 August 2021, came after Usdaw’s long-running campaign led to the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill.
Usdaw news release. Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021. BBC News Online. Risks 1011. 26 August 2021
Britain: Retail bosses want more protection for UK workers
Retail leaders are urging the UK government to follow Scotland's example in extending new protections for shopworkers. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) boss Helen Dickinson said “enough is enough,” adding: “It is incomprehensible that despite Holyrood's decisive action, the UK government has so far failed to provide the same protections to shopworkers in the rest of the UK.”
BBC News Online. Risks 1011. 26 August 2021
Britain: Usdaw urges shopworkers to ‘report it to sort it’
Retail trade union Usdaw has launched a Freedom from Fear summer campaign highlighting shocking statistics from their annual survey. Preliminary results from nearly 2,000 retail staff show that in the last twelve months, 92 per cent of retail staff experienced verbal abuse, 70 per cent were threatened by a customer and 14 per cent were assaulted, with one in five victims never reporting an incident to their employer, including 5 per cent who had been assaulted.
Usdaw Respect for Retail Workers summer campaign and UK, Wales and Northern Ireland news releases. BBC News Online. Risks 1011. 26 August 2021
Britain: Journalists fleeing Afghanistan must be given sanctuary
The journalists’ union NUJ is calling on the UK government to put in place specific measures for journalists and media workers under a resettlement scheme and step up its effort to deliver their safe passage out of Afghanistan. As the Taliban took control of the country, the NUJ said there has been a rapid escalation of violence and threats against journalists and independent media, and house-to-house searches in Kabul that resulted in journalists being detained.
NUJ news release and related news release. IFJ Safety Fund for Afghanistan. Risks 1010. 19 August 2021
Britain: Asda workers demand action to stop violence
The union GMB has handed in 1,250 letters from ‘terrified’ supermarket workers asking Asda for protection in the wake of a ‘Spiderman’ gang attack at the supermarket giant’s Clapham Junction store. The letters were presented at the store, where workers were beaten and some subsequently hospitalised in the 22 July attack.
GMB news release. Risks 1010. 19 August 2021
Britain: Call for better security after latest rail station assault
Rail union TSSA is calling for more to be done to protect front line staff after another assault on a member of station staff left him fearing for his life. Manuel Cortes, TSSA general secretary, said: “This terrifying attack is the latest in far too many recent assaults on front line rail workers.”
TSSA news release. Risks 1009. 11 August 2021
Britain: End the anti-vax abuse of health service staff
Leading health organisations have come together to demand an end to the abuse endured by NHS workers during the pandemic. The call from the group – which includes the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), UNISON and the NHS Confederation –was prompted by abuse and death threats on social media targeting RCM chief executive Gill Walton for encouraging pregnant women to have the Covid-19 vaccine.
UNISON news release. RCM news release. NHS Confederation news release. Nursing Times. Risks 1009. 11 August 2021
Britain: Action call after ‘horrifying’ attack on shopworkers
A vicious attack on Asda workers in Clapham, south London, has prompted a renewed GMB call for action on violence directed at shopworkers. Footage on social media shows a group of assailants - including one dressed as Spiderman – kicking and punching workers inside Clapham Junction Asda.
GMB news release. Enfield Independent. Risks 1007, 29 July 2021
Global: Women far more likely to face work violence
Women are more likely to face violence and harassment at work, a new poll commissioned by the global union confederation ITUC has indicated. The respondents, in ten countries, were asked “Do you think men or women are more likely to face violence and harassment, or are they equally likely?” for nine professions: teaching, nursing, doctors, journalism, law, sport, politics, finance and banking, and building and construction.
ITUC news release and full report. Risks 1006. 22 July 2021
Britain: Action call on harassment of LGBT workers
The TUC and general secretaries of more than 39 British trade unions have written to equalities minister Liz Truss to call for an urgent reset in the government’s approach to LGBT rights. The open letter – signed by general secretaries representing over five million union members – criticises the government for its “inaction” on tackling discrimination and harassment faced by LGBT people.
TUC news release and letter to the equalities minister. Risks 1006. 22 July 2021
Britain: Most disabled women sexually harassed at work
Around 7 in 10 (68 per cent) disabled women say they have been sexually harassed at work, according to a new poll from the TUC. It found younger disabled women aged 18 to 34 are even more likely to have experienced sexual harassment, with almost 8 out of 10 (78 per cent) reporting being harassed at work.
TUC news release and report, Sexual harassment of disabled women in the workplace, July 2021. Risks 1006. 22 July 2021
Britain: Act on shop abuse, retail bosses urge PM
Retail bosses have called on prime minister Boris Johnson to take action against violence and abuse aimed at shop staff. Leaders of 100 brands, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Ikea and Aldi, signed an open letter calling for greater legal protection for retail workers.
British Retail Consortium news release. BBC News Online. Risks 1004. 7 July 2021
Britain: Shopworkers gutted at latest violence snub
Usdaw has said it disappointed after MPs rejected an amendment to the UK government’s flagship policing bill, which would have provided greater protection for shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse. The retail trade union is now calling on the government to deliver on its promise to bring forward an amendment in the House of Lords.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1004. 7 July 2021
Britain: Survey finds widespread harassment at work
Half of women report having suffered unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace, according to a new poll. Around a quarter of women suffered unwanted touching at work, heard colleagues make comments of a sexual nature about a fellow colleague in front of them at work, or were questioned or interrogated about their sex life in the workplace, the survey by YouGov found.
Avaaz website. The Independent.
Joint union statement, 12 March 2021. ILO convention 190. Risks 1003. 30 June 2021
Global: Back violence and harassment rules now!
Unions worldwide are calling on governments to ratify groundbreaking rules to protect workers from violence and harassment in the workplace. The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 190 came into force on 25 June, two years after its adoption.
ITUC news release. BWI news release. Education International news release. IndustriALL news release. IUF news release. PSI news release, UNI news release. ILO news release.
Call on your government to Ratify ILO C190 to end gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work.
Global Unions: Train the Trainers Toolkit on the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206). Risks 1003. 30 June 2021
Britain: Commons committee backs shopworker safety law
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a report from a cross-party committee of MPs that highlights the need for a new criminal offence to protect shopworkers. The House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee report, following a lengthy inquiry, concludes that violence and abuse towards shop workers is becoming endemic and the policing response is failing to match the scale of the problem.
Usdaw news release and related news release. Home Affairs Committee news release and report summary. Sarah Jones MP: NC45 amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, “Offence of assaulting etc. retail worker. BBC News Online Risks 1003. 30 June 2021
Britain: Private security firm sentenced after employee attacked
Private security company G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd has been fined £250,000 after an employee suffered life-changing injuries when he was assaulted at a young offenders training facility in Milton Keynes. The secure care officer (SCO) at Oakhill Secure Training Centre suffered brain damage and had a plate fitted in his skull.
HSE news release. Risks 1002. 23 June 2021
Britain: NUJ concern at police failure to protect hounded journalist
Journalists’ union NUJ has raised concerns with the Metropolitan police about the failure of officers to intervene when a BBC journalist was chased by a group of protesters in Whitehall. Several demonstrators, protesting the extension of England's Covid restrictions on 14 June, pursued and harassed BBC Newsnight political editor Nick Watt, who was wearing a BBC lanyard.
NUJ news release. BBC News Online. Risks 1001. 16 June 2021
Britain: Parliament bullying case shows more sanctions needed
The Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which investigates cases of bullying involving MPs, has found that Daniel Kawczynski breached rules on bullying, instructing him to apologise to the House of Commons for his behaviour. The Conservative MP, in a subsequent statement to MPs, commented: “I have reflected on my behaviour, I accept it constituted bullying and as such was highly inexcusable” – but later backtracked in a TV interview.
Prospect news release and update. Independent Expert Panel report on Daniel Kawzcynski. Personal statement from Daniel Kawzcynski. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 1001. 16 June 2021
Britain: Care manager cautioned after employee stabbed
A Liverpool care agency and a care home have been fined and a manager cautioned after an employee was stabbed. Liverpool Crown Court heard that on 2 November 2014 an employee of Options for Supported Living, which supports people with mental health issues, was undertaking a regular scheduled visit to assist the transition of services for a resident from Fulwood Care Ltd to Options for Supported Living when the incident occurred.
HSE news release and guide, Violence at Work: A guide for employers. Risks 1001. 16 June 2021
Britain: Nursing staff face sexual harassment at work
Three in five nurses (60 per cent) have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to a survey by UNISON and Nursing Times. More than 2,000 nursing staff and students took part in the research, which shows that incidents of sexual harassment are almost commonplace: One in nine (11 per cent) said they often encountered such experiences and a fifth (21 per cent) reported occasional harassment.
UNISON news release. Risks 1000. 10 June 2021
Britain: Suspend MPs facing harassment claims, say unions
Politicians accused of sexual misconduct should be barred from the UK parliament while investigations take place, unions representing staff have said. Parliament's Trade Union Side, said changes were needed to “protect workers”.
Prospect news release. House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee news release and Gender Sensitive Parliament inquiry. BBC News Online. Risks 1000. 10 June 2021
Britain: Scottish protection of shopworkers law imminent
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed an announcement by the Scottish government, confirming that a new law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse will come into force in Scotland on 24 August 2021. The union said the groundbreaking legislation was supported by MSPs after Usdaw’s long-running campaign led to the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill, which was successfully steered through the Scottish parliament by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson.
Usdaw news release. Risks 1000. 10 June 2021
Britain: Government blocks shop safety progress
Despite clear cross-party support for new legal protection for shopworkers, the UK government has refused to support any change in the law. The government position was spelled out during a parliament debate called after a petition launched by shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis attracted 104,000 signatures.
Usdaw news release. Sarah Jones MP: NC45 amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, “Offence of assaulting etc. retail worker”. Morning Star. Risks 1000. 10 June 2021
Britain: Serco workers to strike in bullying and roster clash
Outsourced catering workers at the Royal London hospital in east London have voted for strike action in a row over ‘systematic bullying’ and ‘disastrous’ rosters. The Unite members report “the aggressive use of sickness absence triggers and the abuse of power in the allocation of shifts and holidays, which has left members at breaking point, during the pandemic.”
Unite news release. Risks 1000. 10 June 2021
Britain: RMT anger at stabbing after ignored warnings
Rail union RMT has demanded that rail bosses take full responsibility for the stabbing of a member at London’s Bromley South station after they ignored union warnings that violence on Southeastern was “out of control” and a serious incident of this nature was bound to happen. The RMT member was stabbed seven times on 31 May and another member had a tooth knocked out.
RMT news release. The Standard. The Mirror. Risks 999. 2 June 2021
Britain: MPs set to debate protection for shopworkers petition
A parliamentary petition that seeks to protect retail staff from violence, threats and abuse has been timetabled for a parliamentary debate on 7 June 2021. The Usdaw organised petition is seeking the support of MPs and the UK government for new protective legislation.
Usdaw news release and Freedom from Fear report. House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry. Sarah Jones MP: NC45 amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, “Offence of assaulting etc. retail worker”. Morning Star. Risks 999. 2 June 2021
Britain: MP gets ‘slap on the wrist’ for sexual misconduct
In any normal employment setting the “inappropriate and predatory” behaviour of MP Rob Roberts would probably have been classed as gross misconduct and seen him fired, the civil service union Prospect has said. The union was commenting after the Conservative MP for Delyn was found by an independent panel to be guilty of sexual misconduct and suspended from parliament for six weeks.
Prospect news release. Independent Excerpt Panel report, 25 May 2021. BBC News Online. Risks 998. 26 May 2021
Britain: Teachers 'struggle to deal with classroom sexual abuse'
Teachers say they do not feel equipped to deal with peer-on-peer sexual abuse because they have had no training. More than 1,500 UK teachers replied to a questionnaire from BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme and teachers’ union the NASUWT.
BBC News Online. File on 4, 25 May 2021. Risks 998. 26 May 2021
Britain: Violence in schools is ‘becoming normal’
Teaching union NASUWT is demanding action as concerns grow that workplace violence is becoming the norm in Scotland’s schools. The union has claimed that in “too many schools, verbal and physical abuse against teachers is going unchallenged.”
NASUWT news release. Morning Star. Risks 998. 26 May 2021
Britain: More proof of soaring abuse against retail staff
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is joining with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in calling for UK government action to stem a ‘growing tide’ of violence and abuse against shopworkers. The BRC Annual Retail Crime Survey shows that violence and abuse against shopworkers is now occurring at a rate of 455 incidents every day, a 7 per cent increase on the previous year, with only 6 per cent of incidents of violence and abuse in retail result in prosecution.
BRC news release and BRC Crime Survey 2021. Usdaw news release and Freedom from Fear report. House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry. Sarah Jones MP: NC45 amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, “Offence of assaulting etc. retail worker”. BBC News Online. Risks 998. 26 May 2021
Britain: Call for safeguards against harassment on set
Broadcasters and production companies must take action to safeguard workers from bullying and harassment on sets, a union leader has said. In her address to the union’s conference, Bectu leader Philippa Childs, speaking in the wake of a series of high profile scandals in the sector, called for the industry to step up.
Bectu news release. Risks 997. 19 May 2021
Britain: Shopworkers are owed better protection says Usdaw
Retail trade union Usdaw has said it listened in disbelief as a government minister accepted that police responses suffer because of a lack of resources and capacity - but couldn’t recognise the impact of losing of 20,000 police officers due to Conservative austerity cuts. Policing minister Kit Malthouse MP was quizzed on 12 May by the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on violence, threats and abuse of shopworkers.
Usdaw news release. House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry. Risks 997. 19 May 2021
Britain: MPs urged to support retail violence action
A coalition including retail union Usdaw and more than 30 major retail businesses is urging MPs to avoid shackling over three million shopworkers to a “life sentence” of violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour. It is urging them to back an amendment to a flagship government crime bill that would offer frontline workers greater protection.
Usdaw news release. Risks 996. 13 May 2021
Britain: Screen workers call for action on sexual harassment
TV and film union Bectu is calling for a meeting of industry bosses to address sexual harassment concerns, following an open letter signed by 1,000 workers from across the industry. The letter, penned by producer and Bectu rep Meriel Beale, demands an end to a culture that turns a blind eye to predators and harassers operating in plain sight.
BECTU news release. Joint letter. Risks 996. 13 May 2021
Global: Call to tackle online violence against women journalists
UK journalists’ union NUJ has said there must be great coordination in tackling and preventing systemic online violence against women journalists. The call came in response to new research, carried out by the International Center for Journalists and commissioned by UNESCO, the union says echoes many of the NUJ's safety survey findings.
NUJ news release. The Chilling, International Center for Journalists/UNESCO report. Risks 995. 6 May 2021
Global: Big Mac makes little move on gender-based violence
Following significant international pressure by workers and unions to deal with systemic sexual harassment and gender-based violence in its restaurants, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has announced new “Global Brand Standards” related to working conditions for the brand’s two million workers worldwide. Although the move has been welcomed by unions, the global food and farming union IUF noted: “The announcement fails to mention cooperation with trade unions, an ‘essential element’ in ILO Convention 155 on occupational safety and health; prior efforts to end the systemic sexual harassment have proven ineffective due to lack of enforcement and involvement by trade unions.”
IUF news release. McDonald’s news release. Risks 994. 28 April 2021
Britain: Teachers face routine abuse in class
Teachers face routine abuse, violence and threats from pupils in the classroom, a union conference has heard. The NASUWT conference condemned schools and colleges that claim “unacceptable” student behaviour is “part of the job.”
NASUWT news release. BBC News Online. The Guardian. The Standard. The Independent. Risks 992. 14 April 2021
Britain: Empower schools to tackle sexism, harassment and abuse
Schools must be empowered to do more to address harassment abuse aimed at female pupils and staff, teaching union NEU has said. Commenting on an emergency motion passed at the NEU’s online annual conference, joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “Sexism has real negative consequences for girls and for female staff, who disproportionately experience sexual violence and harassment.”
NEU news release. Risks 992. 14 April 2021
Britain: Usdaw urges shop customers to show respect
As non-essential retail stores opened in England on 12 April, retail union Usdaw has called on people to play their part in keeping shop workers safe and to show respect for shop staff. The UK government published updated safety guidance ahead of reopening which made clear that all customers should continue to follow social distancing rules, shop alone or in small groups, queue or follow one-way signs where necessary, follow hygiene rules, and wear a face covering unless they have an exemption.
Usdaw news release. Risks 992. 14 April 2021
Britain: Crime survey exposes appalling abuse of shopworkers
Retail trade union Usdaw has again called for legislation to better protect retail staff. The union was speaking out after new figures from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) revealed that 89 per cent of those working in local shops have experienced some form of abuse, with over 1.2 million incidents recorded over the last year; ACS also found that two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents have seen Covid-related threats to staff around face coverings, social distancing, queueing and age identification.
Usdaw news release and petition. ACS news release. Risks 991. 31 March 2021
Britain: Police urged to respect media's right to report at protest
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed concern at the behaviour of some police officers and members of the public towards the media covering recent ‘Kill the Bill’ protests in Bristol. Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said the actions of some police officers marked “an unwelcome departure from the standard of policing which has characterised similar public demonstrations and gatherings in other parts of the UK.”
NUJ news release and guidance on covering protests. NPCC guidance: Working with journalists during Covid-19 outbreak. Risks 991. 31 March 2021
Britain: Threats to media at lockdown protest condemned
The journalists’ union NUJ has condemned threats and harassment targeted at its members during an anti-lockdown protest on 20 March. NUJ members told the union they were targeted at the anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine protest that saw thousands march through the capital.
NUJ news release. BBC News Online. Sky News. Risks 990. 23 March 2021
Britain: Unions make stand against male violence
A joint statement from over 30 UK unions has demanded safety, justice and equality in the face of “an epidemic of male violence”. The statement notes that in the UK 97 per cent of young women have been sexually harassed, and one in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace.
Joint statement. PCS news release. TSSA news release. Unite news release.
ILO convention 190. Risks 989. 16 March 2021
Britain: Union action call on Sellafield ‘toxic culture’
Unions have called for action after revelations of bullying, discrimination and racism at Cumbria’s Sellafield nuclear plant. Unite and Prospect were commenting after a BBC investigation heard whistleblowers warn that a “toxic culture” of bullying and harassment at Sellafield could let serious safety concerns go unreported.
BBC News Online. Prospect news release. Unite news release. Risks 988. 11 March 2021
Britain: Abuse of shopworkers worsened in the pandemic
Retail trade union Usdaw has renewed a call for legislation to protect retail staff after new statistics showing that 79 per cent of shopworkers say abuse was worse last year. The final results of Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK found that 88 per cent had experienced verbal abuse, 60 per cent were threatened by a customer and 9 per cent had been assaulted.
Usdaw news release, Freedom From Fear survey and petition. Morning Star. Risks 988. 11 March 2021
Britain: NUJ welcomes national action plan to protect journalists
Journalists’ union NUJ has welcomed a new UK government national action plan to protect journalists. The union said the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ plan, launched with cross-party support, was an important step towards ensuring journalists can carry out their work free from harassment and attack.
NUJ news release. UK government news release. National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ plan. Risks 988. 11 March 2021
Britain: Sick days hit new record low in 2020
Workplace absences are at the lowest level since records began in 1995, latest official figures show. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the coronavirus had caused many sick days, the measures taken to contain it, such as furloughing, social distancing, shielding and homeworking, appeared to have helped reduce other causes of absence.
Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2019 and 2020, ONS, 3 March 2021. The Guardian. Risks 988. 11 March 2021
Britain: NUJ welcomes national action plan to protect journalists
Journalists’ union NUJ has welcomed a new UK government national action plan to protect journalists. The union said the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ plan, launched with cross-party support, was an important step towards ensuring journalists can carry out their work free from harassment and attack.
NUJ news release. UK government news release. National Committee for the Safety of Journalists’ plan. Risks 988. 11 March 2021
Britain: RMT protest at rail station violence surge
An RMT protest outside Lewisham rail station in London on 2 March has highlighted what the union says is the need for urgent action in the wake of a surge of Covid-related assaults on staff. In one incident last month a member of staff at the station was spat at in the face and two others verbally abused and threatened by a man who was vandalising the station, RMT said, adding it was the second time the worker has been spat at and the third time he has been assaulted, leaving him terrified of returning to work.
RMT news release. Risks 987. 3 March 2021
Britain: High Court urged to overturn PM's Patel decision
The High Court must overturn Boris Johnson's decision that home secretary Priti Patel did not breach government rules on behaviour, a civil service union has said. The prime minister decided not to sack Ms Patel last year despite a report finding evidence of “bullying” and “some occasions of shouting and swearing,” leading the FDA to seek a judicial review of the prime minister's decision.
FDA report. BBC News Online. Risks 986. 24 February 2021
Britain: Senior retail leaders call for protection of shopworkers
Senior retail leaders have written jointly to UK prime minister Boris Johnson to raise concerns about the increasing problem of violence and abuse against shopworkers. The letter asks the government to treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves and to improve protection for staff by creating a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker.
BRC letter. Usdaw news release and petition. Morning Star. Risks 984. 11 February 2021
Britain: Workplace protection for domestic abuse victims welcomed
Public sector union UNISON has won a key amendment to ensure that domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs) will apply to the workplace. The provision is included in the Domestic Abuse Bill currently moving through the UK parliament.
UNISON news release. Risks 984. 11 February 2021
Britain: Recognition of domestic abuse impact at work welcomed
The union GMB has welcomed a UK government report accepting the need for employers to do more to support workers that have survived domestic abuse. As part of its ongoing campaign, the union is now calling on the government to bring forward greater workplace protections for domestic abuse survivors in legislation, such as paid leave and the right to flexible working.
GMB news release and Work to Stop Domestic Abuse Charter. UK government report. Risks 981. 20 January 2021
Britain: Scottish shopworkers win new protections
Usdaw has welcomed a unanimous vote in the Scottish parliament for a ‘groundbreaking’ law to protect shopworkers. The retail union says the move follows its long campaign for new legislation to tackle growing violence, threats and abuse against retail staff.
Usdaw news release and the new law against violence, threats and abuse against retail staff. Morning Star. Risks 981. 20 January 2021
Britain: UPS accused of recklessly endangering drivers
Workers at the parcel and courier company UPS have been advised by their union to refuse to accept cash on delivery (CoD) in order to protect their safety. Unite said it gave the instruction to its members after UPS failed to respond to the union’s longstanding concerns that drivers were being placed at risk when they are required to demand CoD when delivering goods to customers.
Unite news release. Risks 981. 20 January 2021
Global: Sixty journalists were killed in 2020
The year 2020 will go down in history as the year of an unprecedented global pandemic crisis, but also as the year of the resurgence of murders of journalists and media staff around the world, the sector’s global union IFJ has said. With 60 murders in 2020, IFJ warns the ‘macabre’ statistics are on the rise again compared to 2019, when 49 were killed.
IFJ news release. Risks 979. 4 January 2021
Britain: Urgent appeal to UN about threats to BBC journalists
An urgent appeal has been filed with three United Nations (UN) experts on behalf of all BBC Persian Service staff. The 18 December appeal, which is backed by both the BBC and the journalists’ union NUJ, details ‘serious and credible death threats’ made to BBC Persian Service journalists in recent months, and further harassment of both BBC Persian Service staff and their families, including freezing of journalists’ assets and online attacks.
NUJ news release. Doughty Street Chambers news release. Risks 979. 4 January 2021
Britain: Government refuses to protect shopworkers - again
Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed dismay as the government again refused to support an industry-backed law to protect shop workers from violent attacks. Responding to Labour questions in the House of Commons on 14 December, the government said it didn’t “yet” see a case for a specific offence of assaulting a shopworker.
Usdaw news release. Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill 2019-21.
ACTION! Sign the position in support of the Bill. Risks 978. 15 December 2020
Britain: 'Grave concerns' over Cabinet Office bullying
Civil service union PCS has raised “grave concerns” over bullying and racism in the government department that supports the prime minister. PCS leader Mark Serwotka said some civil servants have “contemplated suicide as a direct result” of their treatment.
PCS news release. BBC News Online. Risks 978. 15 December 2020
Britain: Legal challenge to PM on Priti Patel bullying let-off
Boris Johnson is facing a union legal action over his decision to clear Priti Patel of bullying staff at the Home Office and other departments. Lawyers acting for the FDA senior civil servants’ union have issued a pre-action notice to Downing Street, accusing the prime minister of acting unlawfully by overruling the findings of his own independent adviser, Sir Alex Allan, who quit after Ms Patel was cleared - the notice is the first step towards a judicial review of the decision.
FDA news release. The Independent. Risks 978. 15 December 2020
Britain: Shoppers urged to keep their cool as shops reopen
Retail trade union Usdaw is urging customers to follow the rules and respect shopworkers. As non-essential shops reopened on 2 December 2020, the union said it was concerned that the four week shutdown could result in overcrowding and abuse of shopworkers if there is a rush back to the high street.
Usdaw news release. Nottingham City Council news release. BBC News Online. Risks 977. 9 December 2020
Britain: Calls for harsher penalties for attacks on journalists
The UK authorities must consider introducing harsher legal penalties for individuals who repeatedly threaten or attack journalists, journalists’ union NUJ has said. The union’s comments came as far-right activist James Goddard appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court after being prosecuted for threatening behaviour towards The Independent's home affairs and security correspondent Lizzie Dearden.
NUJ news release. The Independent. Risks 976. 2 December 2020
Britain: Union outrage at Priti Patel bullying inaction
Civil service unions PCS and Prospect have said it is ‘outrageous’ and ‘frankly unbelievable’ that home secretary Priti Patel escaped being sacked after a highly critical report into her behaviour. The report by the prime minister’s adviser on ministerial standards said originally that the home secretary had “not consistently met the high standards expected of her,” however Boris Johnson decided that the ministerial code was not breached by the minister.
PCS news release. Prospect news release. Ministerial Code. UK Constitutional Law Association blog. Risks 975. 28 November 2020
Usdaw violence campaign gives debate hopes a boost
A parliamentary petition that seeks to protect retail staff from violence, threats and abuse has passed 80,000 signatures following the annual Respect for Shopworkers Week, with ran from 16-22 November. The union, which picked up over 10,000 signatures during the week, is looking to hit 100,000 signatures to trigger a parliamentary debate.
Usdaw news release and petition. Co-op respect for shopworkers survey. Risks 975. 28 November 2020
Global: Unions demand end to violence against women
Union bodies representing workers across Great Britain and Ireland have called for urgent interventions to support victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in work and in society. Global union confederation ITUC also issued a call for “governments to ratify and implement the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 and Recommendation 206, to end the scourge of gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work.”
TUC news release. STUC news release. ITUC news release. Risks 975. 28 November 2020
Britain: Criminal violence against journalists ‘must be punished’
The journalists’ union NUJ has called on the Scottish authorities to ‘hunt down’ the perpetrators of an attack aimed at silencing Glasgow journalists. On Sunday 1 November, the car belonging to the founder and publisher of The Digger magazine, James Cruickshank, was firebombed in Glasgow and local shops were visited and told to stop selling the publication, according to Press Gazette.
NUJ news release and NUJ safety report 2020. Hold the Front Page. The Press Gazette. Risks 974. 19 November 2020.
Britain: Abuse of retail staff far worse during the pandemic
Over threequarters of retail workers say abuse on the job has worsened throughout the pandemic, according to an annual survey by shopworkers’ union Usdaw. Interim results from over 2,000 retail staff show that so far this year, 76 per cent report abuse has been worse than normal during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Usdaw news release and petition. Risks 974. 19 November 2020.
Britain: NUJ demands action to protect and safeguard journalists
A survey by the journalists’ union NUJ has uncovered ‘shocking evidence’ of abuse and harassment, with journalists revealing they have been punched, threatened with knives, forcibly detained, kicked and spat at while doing their job. As well as physical assault, NUJ says it members are being threatened online and offline, including death threats, rape threats and other threats to their families and homes.
NUJ safety report 2020. IFJ news release, end immunity campaign and report, Dirty Hands; Still in Power. Risks 972. 7 November 2020
Britain: Council fined after assault on teacher by pupil
Luton Borough Council has been fined after a teacher in one of its schools was violently attacked and left disabled and unable to work. Assistant headteacher Gillian Stephens was left brain damaged after she was hit repeatedly over the head with a mobile phone by a female pupil in Putteridge High School on 17 June 2016.
HSE news release. Luton Today. Risks 970. 24 October 2020
Britain: Domestic abuse is a workplace safety issue
The TUC has said health and safety law requires employers to act to protect workers from domestic violence and has called for more to be done at work to protect victims. In a TUC response to a government call for evidence, the TUC calls on the government to: “Ensure the Health and Safety Executive has sufficient additional resources to prioritise compliance and enforcement of existing health and safety legislation in relation to preventing and tackling domestic abuse in the workplace.”
Support in the workplace for victims of domestic abuse: TUC response to BEIS call for evidence, 5 October 2020. Full TUC response. Risks 969. 17 October 2020
Britain: Usdaw and retailers want shop violence inquiry
A retail industry coalition has written to Yvette Cooper, the chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, calling for an inquiry into violence and abuse against shop workers. The coalition includes retail union Usdaw and trade bodies the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NRFN).
Usdaw news release and petition. Risks 968. 10 October 2020
Britain: Progress on law to protect Scottish shopworkers
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the Scottish parliament’s stage one unanimous vote for a new law to protect shop workers from abuse. The vote on 24 September allows the Bill to go forward for detailed scrutiny in committee. The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill is promoted by Daniel Johnson MSP.
Usdaw news release. Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill. Risks 967. 3 October 2020
Britain: Covid-19 is biggest violence flashpoint for shopworkers
Enforcing social distancing measures and the wearing of face coverings are now the biggest triggers for abuse of shopworkers, a survey by Usdaw has found. The union said earlier similar surveys had found consistently that theft from shops and age identification were the major flashpoints, but these had now been overtaken by Covid-related abuse.
Usdaw news release and petition. Morning Star. Risks 967. 3 October 2020
Britain: Welcome move on spitting, no move on protection
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed official recognition that deliberately spitting or coughing at a worker is ‘assault’, but is concerned workers in the sector will continue to lack the necessary legal protection. The union was responding on 15 September to a Sentencing Council consultation on assault offences, which proposes the introduction of ‘intention to cause fear of serious harm, including disease transmission’ as a high culpability factor, with ‘spitting or coughing’ as an aggravating factor.
Usdaw news release and petition. Sentencing Council assault offences consultation, closed 15 September 2020. Risks 966. 26 September 2020
Government refuses to protect shop workers
Retail trade union Usdaw has said it is ‘disappointed but not surprised’ by the UK government’s 15 September response to a parliamentary petition calling for a law to protect retail staff from violence, threats and abuse. Paddy Lillis commented: “We deeply disappointed by the government’s response to the petition.”
Usdaw news release and petition. Violence and Abuse Toward Shop Staff – Government Response. Risks 966. 26 September 2020
Britain: RSPCA workers at risk from violent pet owners
RSPCA lone workers visiting violent animal owners face a risk of attack, as a ‘failure of management’ crisis continues to dog the 196-year-old charity, Unite has warned. The union said long-serving employees of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) could lose their ‘homes for life’, as the charity plans to sack nearly 300 workers to plug a £47 million funding gap, as well closing four animal centres.
Unite news release. Risks 965. 19 September 2020
Britain: Usdaw calls for better protection of shop workers
Retail trade union Usdaw has repeated its call for a change in the law to better protect shop workers. Dave McCrossen, Usdaw’s deputy general secretary, said: “That’s why Usdaw has launched a petition calling on the government to make it a specific offence to abuse, threaten or assault a shopworker.”
Usdaw news release. Sign the parliamentary petition calling for protection of retail staff from violence, threats and abuse. Government response to the petition. Risks 965. 19 September 2020
Britain: Jail terms for attacking emergency workers to be doubled
The maximum penalty for assaulting police officers, nurses or any other emergency workers is to be doubled from one to two years, the government has announced. A law will be introduced raising the maximum sentence to two years in jail and will, the MoJ said, offer greater protection to emergency workers, including police, prison officers, custody officers, fire service personnel, search and rescue services and frontline health workers.
The Guardian. Risks 965. 19 September 2020
Britain: Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge backed by Usdaw
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is supporting a campaign by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to improve legislation to protect shopworkers from violence. The BRC Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge has been signed by MPs who support legislation necessary to protect shopworkers.
Usdaw news release and petition. Risks 963. 6 September 2020
Britain: Usdaw petition to protect retail staff from abuse
Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has launched a House of Commons petition calling on the UK government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The move comes in response to what the union described as growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and a doubling of such incidents during the coronavirus emergency.
Usdaw news release and petition, Protect Retail Workers from Abuse, Threats and Violence. Risks 961. 22 August 2020
Britain: Union action call on rising Tube assaults
Tube union RMT has demanded action from London Underground (LUL) bosses over rising levels of violent assaults. The call came after a ‘horrific’ incident at Warren Street Station last week, when a physical attack on workers was continued when the assailant forced his way into the control room.
RMT news release. Risks 961. 22 August 2020
Britain: New plans to ensure safety of UK journalists
The National Union of Journalists has welcomed a new national committee to address the increasing violence facing journalists as they do their job. The first meeting of the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists took place on 13 July, focusing on developing a National Action Plan.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport news release. Risks 956. 18 July 2020
Britain: Tougher sentencing plan for attacks on emergency workers
GMB has welcomed a consultation on tougher sentencing for those who attack emergency workers. The union was commenting after the government announced a consultation on plans to double the maximum jail term for criminals who assault emergency workers to two years are being considered by the government.
Ministry of Justice news release. GMB news release. Police Federation news release. Labour Party news release. BBC News Online. Risks 956. 18 July 2020
Empty promise of 'zero tolerance' on shop violence
Retail trade union Usdaw has criticised the prime minister for failing to back a new law to protect shop workers from violence. The union said it took over a year for the Home Office to respond to evidence on violence against shopworkers, and the eventual response this week was ‘deeply disappointing’.
Usdaw news release and related news release. Home Office news release and response to a call for evidence on retail violence. Risks 955. 11 July 2020
Britain: New law needed to protect shopworkers says Coop and Usdaw
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw and convenience store giant the Co-op have challenged “government inertia” on the protection of retail staff from violence and abuse. Their comments came on the first anniversary of the closure of the UK government’s call for evidence on violence against retail staff.
Usdaw news release. Risks 854. 4 July 2020
Britain: Wider shop reopening must be safe and abuse free
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is urging customers to respect staff and for employers to ensure safety in stores, as shops are allowed to reopen. Paddy Lillis, the union’s general secretary, said: “The safety of our members and the public is our top priority, so Usdaw worked with the British Retail Consortium on joint safety guidance for shops.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 952. 20 June 2020
Britain: Derbyshire PCC backs under fire shopworkers
Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has warned that his force will take action against those who abuse the ‘unsung heroes’ working in shops. In a move welcomed by shopworkers’ union Usdaw, Hardyal Dhindsa said: “I urge people to come forward and report incidents of this kind to the police,” adding: “They will take it seriously I assure everyone.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 951. 13 June 2020
Britain: Violent threats to journalist must be stopped
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned hundreds of threats of violence directed at reporter Amy Fenton and her family. Amy - Newsquest's chief reporter in South Cumbria, a local trade union rep in Barrow and a member of the NUJ - is staying in a secret location with constant police protection following the on- and off-line harassment, including death threats.
NUJ news release. Risks 949. 30 May 2020
Britain: 5G conspiracy related abuse must be reported
Telecommunications sector field engineers are being reminded by their union of the ‘paramount importance’ of ensuring any abusive behaviour they encounter in the course of their duties is formally reported and logged – especially where it relates to ‘fake news’ that coronavirus is being spread by the rollout of 5G. The communications union CWU said so far 76 Openreach engineers had reported abuse, the ‘vast majority’ while conducting work that had nothing whatsoever to do with 5G.
CWU news release. Risks 948. 23 May 2020
Britain: Home Office urged to prevent abuse of shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis has written to the Home Secretary requesting progress on the government’s own ‘call for evidence’ on violence and abuse toward shop staff. The union has warned the problem has become more acute during the coronavirus crisis.
Usdaw news release. Risks 943. 18 April 2020
Britain: New evidence supports call for urgent protection for shopworkers
Latest industry figures reinforce the message from shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw that workers in the retail sector need urgent government action to protect them from violence at work. The union said it is ‘deeply concerned about shocking statistics’ released by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), showing that over 50,000 convenience store workers were assaulted last year, with 25 per cent of incidents resulting in injury.
ACS 2020 Crime Report. Usdaw news release. Morning Star. Risks 938. 14 March 2020
Global: Time for a world of work free of violence
Global union IndustriALL is calling on national governments to ratify the new ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. It says International Women’s Day on 8 March can be a focus for unions to pick up this campaign theme.
IndustriALL news release and Convention 190 resources.
Violence and Harassment Convention (Convention 190), ILO, June 2019. Risks 937. 7 March 2020
Britain: Union calls for civil service bullying inquiry
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has called for an inquiry into bullying in the civil service following multiple accusations against cabinet minister Priti Patel. The union call came after the home secretary was accused of bullying staff at a third government department, and it was revealed that a DWP official received a £25,000 payout after alleged bullied by Priti Patel when she was employment minister drove her to attempt suicide.
PCS news release. FDA news release. BBC News Online. The Independent. Morning Star. Risks 937. 7 March 2020
Britain: Action call as retail violence increases
The shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is joining with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to press for government action to stem a “growing tide” of violence and abuse against shopworkers. The latest BRC Annual Retail Crime Survey found that violence and abuse against shopworkers continues to increase, with 424 incidents per day during 2019.
Usdaw news release. Morning Star. Risks 937. 7 March 2020
Britain: Discharge for boss who threatened HSE inspector
A waste site owner who abused and threatened a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector has received a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a public order offence. The HSE inspector was conducting an inspection at a waste and recycling site belonging to Jacob Alexander Thompson in August 2019 Thompson, then crossed the yard towards the inspector, who was subjected to repeated verbal abuse and offensive language and was physically threatened when Thompson stepped towards him and raised his fist as he told him aggressively to leave.
HSE news release. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: ‘Real changes’ needed to tackle NHS violence
It is ‘beyond unacceptable’ that violence and harassment of NHS workers has become the new normal, health service unions have said. The unions were commenting after newly released NHS Staff Survey figures revealed 15 per cent of NHS staff had experienced physical violence from members of the public and patients in the past year, rising to over a third (34 per cent) among ambulance trust staff.
Health secretary Matt Hancock’s letter to the workforce on violence against NHS staff. NHS Staff Survey publication notice. UNISON news release. GMB news release. NHS Confederation news release. Nursing Times. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: Samaritans drop ‘bullying’ chief exec choice
The Samaritans charity has abandoned the appointment of its new CEO after media reports that the Alzheimer’s Society paid out as much as £750,000 to staff who signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during his tenure. Jeremy Hughes, whose appointment was opposed by Unite, will no longer take the helm at the suicide prevention charity from May following whistleblower allegations that he displayed bullying behaviour to staff and presided over a toxic culture at the dementia charity.
Unite news release. The Guardian and earlier article. Samaritans January 2020 news release on Jeremy Hughes’ appointment as CEO. ThirdSector. Civil Society News. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: Union summit sets out to beat prison violence
Understaffing in Britain’s prisons is a key factor in the soaring violence affecting staff and prisoners, the Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance (JUPA) has warned. A JUPA report last year highlighted a sharp rise in assaults on staff in prisons, up 12 by over a fifth (21 per cent) in 12 months, with an average of 28 assaults on staff every day.
PCS news release. UCU webpage on JUPA. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: RSPCA faces strike action over ill-treatment of staff
Staff at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) have voted for strike action over new ‘performance pay’ contracts. Unite said that its members had voted by 73 per cent to strike over the contracts, which the union states were being imposed arbitrarily by ‘bullying’ management.
Unite news release and open letter. Morning Star.
RESOURCES: Bullying at work: Guidance for workplace representatives, TUC, 2019. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: Usdaw urges MPs to back motion on shop violence
Retail trade union Usdaw is urging MPs to sign up to a House of Commons motion calling for a government clampdown on the soaring workplace violence facing retail staff. The House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) proposed by Labour MP Gareth Thomas urges the government to heed calls from the union and retail trade bodies to introduce a ‘stand-alone’ offence on violence against shopworkers.
Usdaw news release.
ACTION: Urge your MP to sign EDM 207 - Assaults on shopworkers – Gareth Thomas MP. Risks 936. 29 February 2020
Britain: UNISON guides members on sex harassment prevention
Public sector union UNISON has said a tick box approach to sexual harassment prevention doesn’t work, because employers need to ‘walk the walk’. Launching new bargaining guidance for fighting sexual harassment at work, national women’s officer Josie Irwin told delegates at the union’s women’s conference: “Sexual harassment is against the law, but the law doesn’t stop it happening.”
UNISON news release and bargaining guidance for fighting sexual harassment at work.
TUC #ThisIsNotWorking campaign. Risks 935. 22 February 2020.
Britain: Prime minister needs to act on shop violence
The prime minister’s concerned words on violence against shopworkers need to translate into action, the union Usdaw has said. The union was commenting after Boris Johnson told the House of Commons, responded: “We should not tolerate crimes of violence against shopworkers or indeed anybody else.”
Prime minister’s questions, 12 February 2020. Usdaw news release. Risks 935. 22 February 2020.
Britain: Rising abuse of black NHS staff of ‘deep concern’
An increase in the bullying, harassment and abuse experienced black staff employed in NHS England is “disgraceful” and of “deep concern”, the public sector union UNISON has said. The union was commenting on latest Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) figures which revealed a deterioration across four of nine indicators, with the share of BME staff reporting bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, relatives or the public rose from 29.1 per cent in 2016 to 29.8 per cent in 2019.
NHS England news release, publication notice and WRES 2019 report, February 2020. UNISON news release and Race for equality campaign. Health Service Journal. Nursing Times. The BMJ. Risks 935. 22 February 2020.
Britain: Government urged to tackle rowdy airline passengers
Ministers need to step in and tighten up the laws over how much passengers can drink at UK airports and on aircraft, Unite has said. The union, which represents 25,000 cabin crew employed by all carriers from British Airways to Ryanair, said the present system was ‘a regulatory mess’.
Unite news release. BBC News Online. Risks 935. 22 February 2020.
Britain: Dismay at government go slow on shop violence
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has said it is ‘disappointed’ at the government’s foot-dragging response on the protection of retail workers, saying ‘words alone’ aren’t enough. Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis, commenting after a 11 February Westminster Hall debate secured by Mike Amesbury, the Labour MP for Weaver Vale, said said the union would continue to press for harsher penalties and a specific offence, adding: “Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Westminster Hall Debate, 11 February 2020. Usdaw news release and full response to the government call for evidence. Risks 934. 15 February 2020
Britain: Time to change law on sexual harassment
Almost 7 in 10 (68 per cent) people think the #MeToo movement has allowed people to be more open about sexual harassment, according to a new TUC poll. The union body is calling on the government to introduce a legal duty on employers to actively prevent sexual harassment at work.
TUC news release. Usdaw news release. Acas news release. Morning Star. BBC News Online.
A TUC alliance backed by more than 30 organisations has launched a petition calling on the government to change the law. Sign the petition. Risks 934. 15 February 2020
Britain: HeartUnions week to press for end to workplace harassment
In 2020, the theme for the TUC’s national HeartUnions campaign will be standing against sexual harassment at work. The TUC is calling for unions to raise the profile of the harm caused by sexual harassment, and to use HeartUnions week, which runs from 10-16 February, to encourage non-members to get involved.
TUC HeartUnions news release and briefing. TUC #ThisIsNotWorking campaign.
ACTION: Sign up for the 7:00pm 10 February TUC call.
RESOURCES: The TUC has produced free HeartUnions resources for download. Pens, mugs, t-shirts and badges can be purchased from TUC’s online shop. Risks 933. 8 February 2020
Britain: NASUWT opens violence and abuse hotline for teachers
Teaching union NASUWT is opening a hotline for teachers across Wales to report by text or voicemail any concerns they have about pupil indiscipline. Neil Butler, NASUWT national official for Wales, said: “Teachers cannot teach and pupils cannot learn where there is violence and disruption,” adding: “All teachers are entitled to dignity at work and a safe working environment.”
NASUWT news release. Risks 933. 8 February 2020
Britain: RMT demands immediate action on violence at work
Tube union RMT is stepping up its ‘Stop Violence Against Tube Staff’ campaign as ‘shocking’ new figures revealed assaults on staff have risen by almost a quarter over the past three years. Assaults on Transport for London (TfL) employees shot up from 505 in 2016 to 628 in 2019; knife-related violence against workers almost doubled, from 19 incidents in 2016 to 35 in 2019.
RMT news release. Morning Star. Risks 932. 1 February 2020
Britain: Government urged to cut crime and protect shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis has called for government action after official figures revealed a 14 per cent increase in police recorded incidents of shoplifting in England and Wales over the last decade. Theft from shops is a main trigger for violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers, the union leader warned.
Usdaw news release. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales: year ending September 2019, ONS, 23 January 2020. Risks 932. 1 February 2020
Britain: One in six have been bullied recently at work
A quarter of employees think their company turns a blind eye to workplace bullying and harassment, according to a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Although 15 per cent have experienced bullying in the past three years, more than half of them did not report it to the firm.
CIPD news release and Managing conflict in the workplace report, 21 January 2020. BBC News Online. Risks 931. 25 January 2020
Britain: Tube protests in union violence campaign
London Underground union RMT is challenging Transport for London (TfL) to address its ‘continuous failure’ to take proper steps to tackle the workplace violence faced by its members at London Underground (LUL) stations. A 21 January protest outside TfL’s London HQ was timed to coincide with a meeting of LUL’s Workplace Violence Group.
RMT news release. Risks 931. 25 January 2020
Britain: 'Not enough' being done to protect emergency workers
More violent individuals who assault emergency service workers need to be brought to justice, the union GMB has said. The union was commenting after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed 20,000 offenders were charged between November 2018 and November 2019 under the 'Protect the Protectors' legislation, which was passed following a long campaign by unions including GMB.
GMB news release. CPS news release. Risks 930. 18 January 2019
Britain: Stab vests being trialled for cash-in-transit crews
In the face of a rise in knife crime, the union CWU has welcomed a trial of stab vests for workers delivering cash and valuables to post offices. “All workers in at-risk occupations must have the best available protections,” said CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey.
CWU news release. Risks 930. 18 January 2019
Britain: ‘Cowardly’ attack on prison officers condemned
Prison officers’ union POA has condemned a ‘vicious and cowardly’ attack on prison officers at HMP Whitemoor on 9 January 2020. Two prisoners on ‘A’ Wing at the high security prison attacked a prison officer from behind with bladed weapons. POA general secretary Steve Gillan said the union will continue to work with the government and employers “to eradicate the disgraceful attacks on our members throughout the criminal justice system, but we also expect the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to deal with violence against Prison Staff in a robust and effective manner.”
POA news release. BBC News Online. Risks 930. 18 January 2019
Britain: Action call after Winchester prison violence spike
Prison officers at Winchester prison have demanded urgent action after an inspectors’ report said that violence had “increased” at the notorious jail and safety remained a “major concern.” The inspection, carried out last June and July and whose findings were published on 7 January, found high levels of violence, self-harm and suicides over the past three years, with a “significant deterioration” in conditions during that time.
HM Inspector of Prisons news release. Morning Star. Risks 930. 18 January 2019
Britain: RMT exposes ‘massive’ violence against transport workers
Almost threequarters (72 per cent) of frontline transport workers have experienced workplace violence in the last year, a survey by the union RMT has found. Of these, nearly 90 per cent had been subjected to violence on multiple occasions.
RMT news release. The Independent. Risks 929. 11 January 2020
Britain: Don’t go over to the ‘dark side’ at the work xmas party
Who doesn’t like a work Christmas party? Many of us it seems - what should be a festive celebration with colleagues can too often turn into an ordeal of innuendo, harassment and even assault, the union UNISON has said.
UNISON news release. ‘This Is Not Working’ alliance. UNISON’s campaign against sexual harassment.
HSE ‘reporting a concern’ update and advice on How to report a work related stress concern. Risks 928. 21 December 2019
Britain: Most MPs have failed to get harassment training
Civil service union Prospect has said it is ‘concerning’ that fewer than one in six MPs has taken up parliament’s bullying and harassment training. Their failure to take up the training is revealed in the first annual report of parliament’s new Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
Prospect news release. Risks 926. 7 December 2019
Britain: 'Cruel and inhumane' treatment of journalists must stop
UK journalists’ union NUJ has called for an end to the harassment of UK-based journalists by the Iranian authorities. NUJ members working for UK-based broadcasters Iran International and the BBC Persian Service have been subjected to new threats, the union said.
NUJ news release. Risks 926. 7 December 2019
Britain: RMT survey reveals ‘shocking’ levels of violence against women
A new survey from the transport union RMT has exposed the ‘shocking’ levels of violence against women transport workers employed in rail, London Underground, on buses and ferries. The union found 72 per cent of female workers reporting that they have experienced violence at work in the last year.
RMT news release. Risks 925. 30 November 2019
Cambodia: Casino workers demand protection from daily abuse
The 4,400 workers at the luxury Naga World Hotel Casino in Phnom Penh face a starkly different experience to the casino’s pampered guests – a litany of daily violence, threats, abuse and humiliation. Global union IUF said workers in the casino’s hotel, recreation and gaming areas have been physically assaulted, had hot drinks thrown in their faces, and have been sexually harassed.
IUF news release. Risks 924. 23 November 2019
Britain: Retailers and shopworkers demand end to shop violence
A retail employers’ group and a union have teamed up to call for better government support in their fight against violence directed at shopworkers. Usdaw’ latest survey shows that violence has increased by over 25 per cent in the last year, despite British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures showing record spending of over £1 billion by retailers on crime prevention.
BRC news release. Usdaw news release. Risks 924. 23 November 2019
Britain: New GMB charter to prevent attacks on ambulance staff
One year on from the Protect the Protectors bill becoming law, the union GMB has launched a charter to step up action against those who attack ambulance workers. The Charter asks employers to take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to those who assault emergency workers, and take immediate steps that will help minimise the chance of physical and sexual assault on emergency workers.
GMB news release. Risks 924. 23 November 2019
Britain: Union protects assaulted bus driver from the sack
Bournemouth transport firm Yellow Buses has dropped all charges against a Unite rep and bus driver who the union says was victimised by the firm after being assaulted by a passenger. Shop steward Martin Conder, 52, who had 13 years unblemished service, was assaulted by a passenger on 7 October; there were no complaints from passengers and the union rep followed procedure and reported the incident to management at Yellow Buses.
Unite news release. Morning Star. Risks 924. 23 November 2019
Britain: Unions back Suzy Lamplugh work violence charter
The unions GMB and NASUWT have pledged their support for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s charter for employee safety. ‘Suzy’s Charter for Workplace Safety’ is intended to help employers and employees to make workplaces safer for everyone, the trust said.
NASUWT news release. Suzy Lamplugh Trust news release and Suzy’s Charter for Workplace Safety. Risks 923. 16 November 2019
Britain: Dismay at ‘bombardment’ of attacks on firefighters
There were 1,170 attacks on UK firefighters in the last year, according to new research from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The FBU research shows in England there were 961 attacks on firefighters in 2018/19, up by 3 per cent on the year before; both Scotland and Wales saw attacks on firefighters rise by over a third, with 72 and 44 attacks respectively.
FBU news release. Risks 923. 16 November 2019
Britain: Welsh teachers want aggression tackled
Posters should be displayed in Welsh schools warning against violence or threats to staff, the teaching union NEU Cymru has said. The union claims aggressive behaviour is a growing concern and is calling for a review of the causes.
BBC News Online. Risks 923. 16 November 2019
Britain: Retail staff facing routine ‘shocking’ violence
An average shopworker is verbally abused, threatened or assaulted more than 21 times a year, research by the retail union Usdaw has round. The annual survey results, published to coincide with the union’s 11-17 November Respect for Shopworkers Week and which include a harrowing dossier of case histories, revealed round two-thirds of shopworkers have experienced verbal abuse, 41 per cent were threatened by a customer, and nearly 5 per cent were assaulted.
Usdaw news release and Respect for Shopworkers Week, 11-17 November 2019. BBC News Online. Risks 923. 16 November 2019
Britain: Assaults on prison staff hit record high
Experienced prison workers will continue to be driven from their jobs by escalating violence unless the government takes urgent action, prison unions have warned. The unions Community and POA were speaking out after latest Ministry of Justice figures revealed record numbers of assaults on prison staff.
Community news release. POA news release. Safety in Custody Statistics, England and Wales, MoJ, 31 October 2019. Risks 922. 9 November 2019
Britain: Usdaw slams government inaction on abuse of shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has said it is disappointed by another government refusal to commit to the measures necessary to reduce the abuse of shopworkers. The union comments came in response to a 5 November Westminster Hall debate on prevention of retail crime.
Usdaw news release. Risks 922. 9 November 2019
Britain: Sexual harassment common across the music industry
Almost half (48 per cent) of musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work, research by the Musicians’ Union (MU) has found. The union said ‘alarmingly’ over four in five (85 per cent) victims did not report the harassment.
Musicians’ Union news release and end sexual harassment petition. Become of supporter of the MU – for free! The Independent. Risks 921. 2 November 2019
Britain: Workers fear the sack for reporting sexual harassment
One in four young women are scared they will be sacked if they report sexual harassment at work, a study has found. The research by Young Women’s Trust found that just 6 per cent of young women who had been sexually harassed at work reported the misconduct.
Young Women’s Trust news release. The Independent. Risks 920. 26 October 2019
Britain: Union action call on violence as shop crime soars
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis has called for government action after official figures revealed a 15 per cent increase in police recorded incidents of shoplifting in England and Wales over the last decade. The union said theft from shops is a main trigger for violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers.
Usdaw news release. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales, ONS, 17 October 2019. BBC News Online. Risks 920. 26 October 2019
Britain: Unite spearheads campaign against hate crimes on buses
A powerful film promoting a zero tolerance approach to hate and racist crime on London’s buses has been launched by Unite. The transport union campaign comes as latest figures revealed hate crime on the capital’s buses rose by 9.3 per cent in the year to March 2019.
Unite news release and Unite/TfL film. Risks 920. 26 October 2019
USA: Women meatpackers ‘treated like meat’
Workers at the world’s largest pork processing company, Smithfield Foods, say as long as lines are moving fast, supervisors who sexually harass them are given a free pass. Beyond sexual harassment and strict break and leave policies, the demands of meeting production quotas and keeping up the line speed have physical implications, including strain injuries requiring surgery.
In These Times. Risks 919. 19 October 2019
Britain: Violence hits Scottish shopworkers over 17 times a year
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has released ‘shocking’ statistics from its annual survey revealing an average Scottish shopworker is verbally abused, threatened or assaulted 17 times a year, or more than once every three weeks. The union has called on the Scottish government to back a Protection of Workers Bill promoted by Labour MSP Daniel Johnson MSP which would provide additional protections for retail staff, including those who sell age-restricted items, where retail staff are required to police and enforce the rules.
Usdaw news release, including Voices from the Scottish frontline. Risks 919. 19 October 2019
Britain: Usdaw welcomes action call on abuse of shopworkers
The shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed an intervention in the Queen’s Speech debate by Labour David Hanson, who called on the government to include measures to protect shopworkers in the proposed violent crime bill. Speaking in the House of Commons, the MP for Delyn said: “I hope that when the violent crime Bill is brought before the House, there will be an opportunity for action to be taken on protecting shop staff by giving greater support to measures that will discourage violence against them and ensuring that they live free from fear about their daily workplace.”
Usdaw news release. Hansard debate, 14 October 2019, volume 666, column 51, David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab). Risks 919. 19 October 2019
Britain: First private firm signs UNISON violence charter
Management services firm Liberata has signed UNISON’s End Violence at Work Charter, becoming the first private sector organisation to support the initiative. The charter aims to protect employees working in public services from acts of abuse, assault and threatening behaviour.
UNISON news release. Risks 918. 12 October 2019
Britain: Hotline exposes harassment of staff in Glasgow schools
In its first week, a hotline set by the teaching union NASUWT for members in Glasgow received dozens of recorded messages and text messages from teachers sharing their experiences of bullying and harassment in Glasgow schools. The union said teachers contacting the hotline reported feeling intimidated, belittled and harassed in the workplace, with many complaining of little support being given to them, particularly when they report incidents of pupil indiscipline. NASUWT leader Chris Keates said: “We opened the hotline in response to concerns raised by members in Glasgow over the abuse of their contractual rights over cover and reports of intimidating and bullying behaviour towards staff. The response so far from teachers shows that our concerns were well-founded and the hotline has exposed a number of serious issues, in particular the lack of support for teachers in managing pupil behaviour and the lack of respect for them as skilled professionals.” Keates added: “Teachers should not face threats and intimidation when they are simply trying to stand up for their basic workplace rights and when they are trying to maintain good order and high standards of pupil behaviour.” The union’s Scottish national official, Jane Peckham, said: “The response so far from members to the hotline indicates the deep level of frustration and anger of teachers in Glasgow over how they are being treated. Glasgow City Council needs to start listening to the voices of teachers and demonstrate that it values and respects its workforce and recognises and appreciates the vital work they do for the children and young people of the city.”
NASUWT news release. Risks 918. 12 October 2019
Britain: Making the best of work in the worst situations
Workers in the police and justice services who work with the public in the best and worst of situations need their wellbeing and mental health to be protected by their employers, the union UNISON has said. Call management staff can face reports of missing children, murders or abuse in a day’s work, a combination the union said can lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health issues for police staff members. Dave Bryant of West Mercia police told the union’s police and justice conference that instead many workers face mental health being treated as a ‘capability issue’, rather than one of people in crisis. The conference called on the union to gather information on mental health related sickness and employers’ policies, to support police staff members and to develop advice and guidance for branches.
UNISON news release. Risks 918. 12 October 2019
Britain: Union win as HSE relents on work harassment probes
In a move described by the TUC as a ‘significant advance’, new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance now says the safety regulator may act where an employer fails to address workplace harassment risks. The HSE investigation policy change comes three months after it was accused by the union-backed Hazards magazine of having an ‘enforcement anomaly’ and a ‘prevention blindspot’ on workplace harassment.
HSE ‘reporting a concern’ update, advice on How to report a work related stress concern, Tackling stress workbook, stress management standards and other HSE workpace stress resources.
Hands off: Time to take sexual harassment at work seriously and change the law, Hazards, number 146, July 2019. Risks 918. 12 October 2019
Britain: Lloyd’s of London admits ‘truly terrible’ sexual harassment
The chief executive of insurance giant Lloyd’s of London has described as “truly terrible” the findings of a survey that showed that nearly 500 people working in its insurance market have either suffered or observed sexual harassment in the past 12 months. The survey, conducted by the Banking Standards Board on behalf of Lloyd’s after news reports of bullying and harassment, found that “the experience of women is much less positive than it is for men.”
The Guardian. BBC News Online. ITV News. Risks 917. 5 October 2019.
Britain: Disturbance highlights prison work dangers
A major disturbance at a Worcester prison has highlighted the risks facing prison officers, including a lack of protective equipment and a denial of the right to refuse dangerous work. Prison officers’ union POA said the siege at the Category A Long Lartin prison, which ran for several into the night on 24 September and saw staff attacked with pool balls, “has once again raised significant concerns about safety, order and control in our prisons..”
POA news release. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 917. 5 October 2019.
Britain: Warning on growing levels of retail violence
Violence, threats and abuse are growing issues for retail staff, the shopworkers’ union Usdaw has warned. Addressing a September fringe meeting at the Labour conference co-organised by the Co-op Group and the Co-operative Party, the union’s general secretary Paddy Lillis said “Co-op and Usdaw has organised public facing campaigns highlighting the issues workers face.”
Usdaw news release. Co-op Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign. Risks 917. 5 October 2019.
Britain: Tube staff take action over violence surge
Members of the Tube union RMT working on the District Line have taken industrial action in response to an upturn in violence. Tube workers on a key section of the line had already voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in protest at growing levels of violence and anti-social behaviour at work.
RMT news release. Risks 917. 5 October 2019.
Britain: Tube violence ‘out of control’ warns union
The number of sexual assaults reported on London’s Tube system has soared by 42 per cent in the past four years, latest official figures show. Calling for urgent action, the rail union RMT said violence on the network was ‘out of control’.
RMT news release. London Evening Standard. The Guardian. The Independent. Risks 916. 28 September 2019
Britain: Tube workers to take action over constant fear
Tube workers on a key section of London Underground’s District Line have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in protest at the growing levels of violence and anti-social behaviour on the resource-starved network. In an overwhelming vote, RMT members on the eastern end of the District Line backed action short of strike action.
RMT news release. Risks 915. 21 September 2019
Britain: Calls for action on repeat retail crimes
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has called for government action as new evidence emerged that some retailers are being repeat victims of often violent criminals. It was speaking out after research from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) using Home Office figures showed that retailers who experience crime are being targeted more.
ACS news release, campaign and Commercial Victimisation Survey results. Risks 914. 14 September 2019
Britain: Retail crime ‘epidemic’ leading to PTSD in shop staff
A hard-hitting report had called for action to stem the rising number of crimes against shopworkers and identifies widespread post-traumatic stress disorder affecting staff. Funded by The Co-op, the research undertaken by criminologist Dr Emmeline Taylor from City, University of London, uses data from the retail union Usdaw, industry bodies and government figures and calls on the government to urgently protect employees and to send a clear message that violence and verbal aggression will not be tolerated in shops.
City, University of London news release and full report. BBC News Online. Risks 914. 14 September 2019
Lesotho: Agreement to end harassment at big brand factories
A union-backed campaign has won action to end widespread sexual harassment at factories in Lesotho producing garments for major high street brands. The action by the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) to stop long-running gender-based violence at Nien Hsing Textile company factories has resulted in the binding agreements signed by unions, apparel brands and women’s rights organisations.
IndustriALL news release. WRC news release and investigation. Risks 913. 7 September 2019
Britain: Man awarded payout for work harassment stress
A man who suffered harassment at his workplace so severe he considered taking his own life has been awarded more than £50,000 in compensation. After an employment tribunal ruled in favour of Wayne Hoch, 35, he expressed his relief that the matter was now closed and added that he hoped his case against Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrication Ltd would encourage others to take action.
In Cumbria. Mr W Hoch v Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrication Ltd: 2411076/2018 Employment Tribunal decision. Risks 911. 24 August 2019
Britain: GMB slams ‘shameful and dangerous’ airline ‘trolley dolly’ culture
A union representing tens of thousands of cabin crew workers has condemned the airline industry’s ‘frankly dangerous’ dress codes. Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, commented: “While these policies don't constitute sexual harassment they contribute to a frankly dangerous perception of the way women 'should' look and behave in order to fit in with a superficial, patriarchal standard. It's these perceptions and dress code requirements placed on women that lead to them being sexually objectified.”
GMB news release. The Independent.
TUC #ThisIsNotWorking Alliance petition and campaign webpage.
Hands off: Time to take sexual harassment at work seriously and change the law, Hazards, number 146, July 2019. Risks 908. 3 August 2019
Britain: Shopworker protection call after shoplifting hike
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis has called for government action in response to a 17 per cent increase in police recorded incidents of shoplifting in England and Wales over the last decade. The Usdaw general secretary said the ‘shocking’ Office for National Statistics figures back up the findings of an Usdaw survey of 3,272 retail workers across England and Wales.
Usdaw news release and full response to the government’s ‘call for evidence’. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales year ending March 2019, 18 July 2019. Risks 907. 27 July 2019
Britain: Tougher action needed for attacks on emergency workers
There must be more prosecutions, tougher sentencing and a culture change to address the widespread attacks on emergency workers, the union GMB has said. The union call came as new figures obtained by the BBC showed between November 2018, when a new law came into effect, and May this year police across England and Wales made more than 6,600 arrests for attacks on emergency service workers.
GMB news release. BBC News Online. Morning Star.
TUC reporting work-related violence briefing and draft reporting form. More on violence at work. Risks 907. 27 July 2019
Britain: Over 1,000 reports of sexual harassment at UK McDonald’s
McDonald’s workers in the UK are being subjected to a “toxic culture” of sexual harassment which has seen at least 1,000 women abused and ‘predatory’ managers moved to different stores rather than sacked, a union has warned. The food union BFAWU says allegations range from managers making repeated sexual comments, brushing up against staff and discussing sexual desires, abusing workers’ contact details in order to send texts and explicit photos, and even offering better hours and promotion in return for sex.
The Independent. Risks 907. 27 July 2019
Britain: Report shows the need to end ‘toxic culture’ in parliament
Unions have said a House of Commons-commissioned report into bullying and harassment in parliament shows a clear need to end the ‘toxic culture’ in parliament. Gemma White QC’s report details the “significant problem” posed by the abuse and harassment of parliamentary staff and makes recommendations to strengthen the complaints process and human resources (HR) functions in Westminster.
Gemma White QC's report, 11 July 2019. House of Commons Commission statement. Unite news release. Prospect news release. The Mirror. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 906. 20 July 2019
Britain: Workers at risk due to ‘hands off’ harassment anomaly
An ‘enforcement anomaly’ means sexual harassment is the responsibility of an equality regulator not allowed to undertake preventive inspections but is deliberately ignored by the safety regulator which can. A new report in the journal Hazards notes both the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “said an unequivocal ‘#NotMe’ when we asked who investigates and prosecutes cases of sexual harassment at work”, creating a “regulatory vacuum that guarantees those employers that let bad things happen know it is safe to carry on regardless.”
Hands off: Time to take sexual harassment at work seriously and change the law, Hazards, number 146, July 2019. The Guardian. Risks 905. 13 July 2019
Britain: Law change needed to stop sexual harassment at work
The government must introduce a new law to make employers responsible for protecting their staff from sexual harassment at work, the TUC has said. The TUC says the new prevention duty to on employers would be supported by a code of practice, explaining exactly what steps bosses need to take to prevent sexual harassment – such as carrying out mandatory training for staff and managers, and having clear policies.
TUC news release. Morning Star.
TUC #ThisIsNotWorking Alliance petition and campaign webpage. Risks 905. 13 July 2019
Britain: Time to act on sexual harassment
The TUC is calling on the public to support its call for a new legal duty on employers to protect staff from sexual harassment. The union body notes: “We're demanding a new, easily enforceable legal duty,” adding: “It would require employers to take all reasonable steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and victimisation.”
TUC publication alert. Sign the Petition. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Britain: Retailers back union call for action on shop violence
A call by the retail union Usdaw for government action to stem ‘the rising tide’ of shop violence has been backed by retailers and their representative organisations. A letter to the Home Secretary and other minsters, signed by Usdaw, the British Retail Consortium and over 50 major retailers and industry organisations, calls for bold, ambitious and collective action to deliver meaningful change that will reduce levels of violence and abuse, both from central government, the wider justice system and from retailers themselves.
Usdaw news release, related news release and letter. BBC News Online. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Britain: Starbank teachers strike over violence fears
Teachers at a Birmingham school have gone on strike over concerns about violence and knife threats from pupils. NASUWT members at Starbank Secondary School said they received little support from bosses in confronting badly-behaved pupils.
NASUWT news release. BBC News Online. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Britain: Tube bosses slammed for ignoring union crime warnings
Tube union RMT has slammed London Underground (LU) bosses for repeatedly ignoring warnings about the surge in crime on the Tube. The union was speaking out after new figures revealed that thefts on the network have risen by 80 per cent in the past three years.
RMT news release. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Britain: Call to require employers to prevent sexual harassment
The TUC, women’s rights organisations and charities have launched a joint campaign calling on the government to introduce a new law to make employers responsible for protecting their staff from sexual harassment at work. With the government set to launch its consultation on tackling sexual harassment soon, the TUC’s ‘This is not working’ alliance – backed by organisations including the Fawcett Society, Action Aid, Amnesty and Time’s Up – wants to see the law changed so employers have a legal duty to take preventive measures to ensure their workplaces are harassment-free
TUC news release.
#ThisIsNotWorking Alliance petition and campaign webpage. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Britain: Shopworkers back TUC move to beat sexual harassment
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed a new TUC-led campaign to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace. Paddy Lillis, Usdaw’s general secretary said: “It complements Usdaw’s own ‘Call It Out’ campaign, which promotes our belief that everyone has the right to work in a safe and supportive environment.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 904. 6 July 2019
Global: Victory on violence and harassment standard
A union-led campaign has won a new international standard on the prevention of violence and harassment in the workplace. After over a year of negotiations, the International Labour Organisation’s conference in Geneva agreed the new Convention and a related Recommendation.
ILO news release. TUC news release. ETUC news release. ITUC news release. ACTU news release. CLC news release.
ITUC campaign toolkit for a convention on gender-based violence at work. Risks 903. 29 June 2019
Britain: More sign on to UNISON’s work violence charter
Victim Support UK and ACCESS for Living have become the latest organisations to sign up to UNISON’s ‘End violence at work charter.’ The union said the charter is a key part of its campaign to get employers in the community sector to take violence against staff seriously.
UNISON news release and End Violence at Work Charter. Risks 903. 29 June 2019
Britain: Health staff are suffering serious sexual harassment
Nurses, care assistants, cleaners and other NHS staff have suffered lewd sexual insults, groping and even rape while at work, according to new research from the health service union UNISON. Being leered at or subjected to offensive ‘banter’ and suggestive gestures are regular occurrences for some of the nearly one in ten (8 per cent) healthcare staff who reported being sexually harassed in the past year.
UNISON news release and It’s Never Ok report, June 2019. NHS Employers news release. Personnel Today. Risks 903. 29 June 2019
Britain: Prison officers back lawful action over safety
An indicative workplace ballot of members of the union POA in public and private sector prisons, immigration removal centres and secure hospitals, has backed ‘lawful action’ to protect their health and safety at work. POA national chair Mark Fairhurst said: “The results prove that POA members who work in the most hostile and violent workplace in Western Europe are prepared to support any lawful action we decide to take in order to ensure their safety at work.”
POA news release. Risks 903. 29 June 2019
Britain: School bosses must commit to teachers' safety
School employers must make a clear commitment to protecting teachers from verbal and physical abuse from pupils, parents and other visitors to school sites, the union NASUWT has said. As part of the teaching union’s ongoing campaign to support teachers and headteachers in tackling pupil indiscipline, NASUWT has produced posters for schools it says are designed to make a public statement on the expectation of how staff should be treated.
NASUWT news release and ‘Not part of the job’ campaign posters. Risks 902. 22 June 2019
Britain: Law must change on sexual harassment at work
The government must change the law so victims of sexual harassment at work are no longer silenced by ‘gagging clauses’ and negligent employers face effective sanctions, the TUC has said. The TUC is calling for a series of changes including: amending the law to make employers legally responsible for taking meaningful steps to rid their workplaces of harassment and victimisation; enforcement “with real teeth” so that employers who refuse to comply suffer a financial hit large enough to compel them to take action; stronger legal protection from harassment from customers and other third parties at work; and an extension to time limits for lodging tribunal claims to help people access justice.
TUC news release and blog posting. The use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination cases, Women and Equalities Committee, House of Commons, June 2019. NUJ news release. The Guardian. Risks 902. 22 June 2019
Britain: Quarter of prison staff are recent victims of violence
Over a quarter (26 per cent) of staff working in prisons have been the victim of physical violence within the last year, according to new figures from a coalition of nine trade unions and professional organisations. The survey, published by the Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance (JUPA), found that one in seven (14 per cent) of staff who were a victim of recent physical violence said they have been assaulted more than ten times in the past year.
UCU news release. Morning Star. Risks 902. 22 June 2019
Britain: College staff link weapons threat to lack of resources
Young people are bringing weapons – such as machetes, hammers, metal bars and in one case a gun – into colleges across the country and making staff feel unsafe at work, according to a new report from the education union UNISON. UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Budget cuts, rising knife crime and the closure of youth centres means college support staff are having to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of other students.”
FE News. TES News. The Independent. Risks 901. 15 June 2019
Britain: Emergency services battling knife crime epidemic
The union GMB is to campaign for greater resources to be available to emergency services to help tackle the knife crime epidemic across the country. A motion passed at the union’s annual Congress calls for the police service and justice system to be given a significant increase in support, tools and education to tackle this violence. GMB news release. Risks 901. 15 June 2019
Britain: Carers suffer thousands of serious work violence injuries
Care workers suffered more than 6,000 reported violent attacks resulting in serious injuries during the last five years, a GMB analysis of official figures has revealed. GMB national officer Rachel Harrison commented: “These statistics are the tip of the iceberg – they only include the most serious injuries, and our members have to deal with violence on a daily basis.”
GMB news release. The Guardian. Risks 901. 15 June 2019
Britain: POA presses for action on prison violence
The prison officers’ union POA is to ballot its membership on “any lawful means necessary” to address what it sees as inaction by ministers on the prison violence crisis. The union is concerned that the failure of the service to press ahead with a roll out of PAVA incapacitant spray.
POA news release. Risks 901. 15 June 2019
USA: McDonald's facing new sexual harassment charges
For the third time in three years, McDonald's Corp is facing allegations of rampant sexual harassment of female employees in its burger joints. Twenty-three new complaints against McDonald's – 20 of which were filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – have been brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the labour group Fight for $15, and the TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund.
Metoomcdonalds.org. NPR. Bloomberg News. New York Times. CNN Business. Risks 899. 1 June 2019
Britain: Education cuts spark fears for safety of school staff
A local union has warned that a cut the number of behaviour support assistants (BSAs) in some Scottish schools will leave staff more vulnerable. Parents joined trade union officials in expressing concern over East Renfrewshire Council’s decision to reduce the number of specialist assistants working with troubled pupils from 28 to 21.
Barrhead News. Risks 899. 1 June 2019
Britain: POA welcomes stiff sentence after unprovoked prison attack
The prison officers’ union POA has welcomed an ‘appropriate’ sentence handed down to a prisoner following unprovoked attacks on prison officers at Gartree prison. The more stringent sentence follow a successful union campaign for the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which allows for more harsh sentences for violence against emergency services workers, including prison officers, police, firefighters, health service staff and other emergency workers.
POA news release. Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act. Risks 899. 1 June 2019
Britain: Victims of sexual harassment ‘should get time off’
Victims of sexual harassment should get more support and a right to paid time off, the union PCS has said. The decision, carried unanimously at the civil service union’s national conference, calls for a PCS campaign for a range of measures to combat sexual harassment.
PCS news release. Risks 899. 1 June 2019
Canada: Nurses have had enough of violence on the job
Facing a rising tide of workplace violence across the country, nurses have been demanding action from Canada’s federal government for almost 18 months. In May, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health finally got the message and commenced the first-ever parliamentary study on workplace violence in health care.
CFNU news release. Risks 898. 25 May 2019
Britain: Most LGBT people report being sexually harassed at work
Nearly 7 in 10 (68 per cent) lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people report being sexually harassed at work, according to new research published by the TUC. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Government must change the law to put the responsibility for preventing harassment on employers, not victims.”
TUC news release and report. Morning Star. Risks 898. 25 May 2019
Britain: Shopworkers need protection from knife crime
Shopworkers need better protection from the growing menace of knife crime, their union has said. Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “We would always advocate for the tightening of the law around the sale of knives and with the terrifying growth in knife crime, this is more pressing than ever.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 897. 18 May 2019
USA: Unions take on violence in health and social care
While workplace violence is a serious and growing problem for all workers in the US, incidents in health and social care are far outpacing those in other industries, a union has warned. Launching a new postcard campaign, the union USW noted that a lack of preventive measures combined with the increasingly profit-driven nature of the US health care system is resulting in problems like unsafe staffing levels that contribute to the trend.
USW news release and sample postcards. Risks 896. 11 May 2019
Britain: Shocking rise in assaults at Suffolk prison
A Suffolk prison workers’ union rep has warned life on the frontline has spiralled “out of control” as new figures reveal the number of assaults at HMP Highpoint have more than doubled since 2011. The data, from the Ministry of Justice, shows the total number of assaults on both staff and prisoners has increased by more than 130 per cent since Highpoint merged with Edmunds Hill prison eight years ago.
East Anglian Daily Times. Risks 896. 11 May 2019
Britain: Age-restricted sales trigger abuse against shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is to demand action to protect retail staff who enforce the law on age-restricted sales, after delegates at the union’s annual conference voted unanimously to lobby the government on the issue. Paddy Lillis, the retail union’s general secretary, said: “Enforcing age-restricted sales is still a major trigger for abuse, threats and violence.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 896. 11 May 2019
Britain: Average shopworker faces violence over 20 times a year
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has released ‘shocking’ statistics from its annual survey that show UK shopworkers were verbally abused, threatened or assaulted an average of 21 times last year. Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear Survey shows that during 2018, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of UK shopworkers experienced verbal abuse, 40 per cent were threatened by a customer and there were 288 assaults every day.
Usdaw news releases on assaults and shoplifting. Risks 895. 4 May 2019
Britain: ‘Time for action’ after inmate cuts prison officer's throat
The prison officers’ union POA has said it is ‘time for action’ on jail violence and under-staffing after a prison officer had his throat cut by an inmate at HMP Nottingham. POA said it was seeking urgent discussions with ministers, adding it is time to “act decisively as the violence in prisons has spiralled out of control.”
POA news release. BBC News Online. Risks 894. 27 April 2019
Britain: Prisoner assault victim suffered physical and mental injuries
A member of the union Community who was left alone to supervise a high-risk prisoner has received a six-figure compensation payment after he was subjected to a sustained attack. A union-backed claim was brought against the employer on the basis that staffing levels were too low, with the employer admitting liability early in the case.
Community news release. Risks 894. 27 April 2019
Britain: Charities condemn cuts to criminal injuries scheme
A fall of nearly 60 per cent in the number of victims receiving payments from the criminal injuries compensation scheme, and an almost halving of the amount paid out since the Conservative government came to power, have been condemned by an alliance of charities. Figures obtained from parliamentary questions show that in 2010-11, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Agency (CICA) awarded £280m to 39,706 people who were hurt in attacks; six years later, in 2017-18, only 16,781 victims received £154m in compensation.
The Guardian. Risks 894. 27 April 2019
Britain: One in four teachers face violence each week
Nearly a quarter of teachers (24 per cent) are experiencing physical violence from pupils at least once a week, the teaching union NASUWT has revealed. A shocking 4 per cent of teachers responding to the union’s survey stated they are attacked on a daily basis.
NASUWT news release. The Independent. Risks 894. 27 April 2019
Britain: Government’s union watchdog blocks harassment action
The TUC has criticised the government’s trade union watchdog for blocking a union’s ‘sensible action’ to stand up for women members by stopping sexual harassment. The union body was commenting after the watchdog, the Certification Officer, forced the Musicians’ Union to restore the membership of a someone expelled from the union after a succession of sexual harassment complaints against him were made via the union’s ‘safe space’ online reporting system.
TUC blog. Risks 893. 13 April 2019
Britain: Union victory as crisis hit prison returned to public control
Prison officers’ union POA has said the return of a crisis-hit Birmingham prison to the public sector is a ‘major success’ for the union. HMP Birmingham is being brought back into government control permanently after G4S saw its contract terminated. Prisons minister Rory Stewart confirmed G4S will pay the government a £9.9 million settlement to cover the additional cost to the Ministry of Justice of its ‘step-in action’.
POA news release. Birmingham Mail. Risks 893. 13 April 2019
Britain: UNISON condemns government’s violent crime proposals
UNISON has hit out at a government proposal that could see education and NHS staff required to prevent and tackle serious violence. The public service union it says the move could place an additional burden on already ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘overworked’ staff.
UNISON news release. Prime minister’s speech. Government serious violence consultation. Risks 893. 13 April 2019
Britain: Scottish teachers need action on violence
The Scottish teaching union, EIS, have issued the results of a poll that found that hundreds of East Ayrshire teachers have seen, or experienced, physical assaults in school. Out of 505 teachers surveyed, ninety-five per cent of those surveyed had experienced or witnessed a violent incident in school; almost a third of teachers polled also said that violent incidents take place one to three times each week.
Daily Record. Risks 892. 6 April 2019
Britain: Hospital security staff to strike over protective equipment
Security staff at Southampton General Hospital have served notice of their intention to strike for eight days in their dispute over pay rates, sick pay and safety concerns. Unite said that neither the employer Mitie Security Ltd nor the bosses at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust had made any effort to resolve the dispute over the lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as stab vests and safety restraints.
Unite news release. Risks 891. 30 March 2019
Britain: Coventry council must investigate bullying 'epidemic'
Coventry Council must commit to a full, independent investigation into a bullying ‘epidemic’ raging through the town hall, the union GMB has said. The union raised its concerns at a council meeting after a GMB survey revealed 85 per cent of the local authority’s workers had experienced bullying.
GMB news release. Risks 891. 30 March 2019
Britain: Shop theft and age-restricted sales are violence triggers
New statistics from the retail union Usdaw show that the key triggers for violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers are theft from shops and enforcing the law on the sale of alcohol and other age-restricted products. The union found that during 2018 nearly two-thirds of shopworkers experienced verbal abuse and over 40 per cent were threatened by a customer.
Usdaw news release and survey of violence and abuse against shop staff. British Retail Consortium news release and 2019 Retail Crime Survey. Risks 891. 30 March 2019
Britain: Prison officers rally for fairness and safety
Hundreds of prison officers marched through Westminster on 20 March, demanding action against soaring levels of violence, an end to private prisons, and a fair retirement age of 60. Explaining why union members took to the streets, POA general secretary Steve Gillan said: “This is a health and safety emergency, and the government must immediately return the money it stole from the Prison Service in the discredited name of austerity.”
POA news release. Risks 891. 30 March 2019
Britain: School ignored death threats to attacked teaching assistant
A special needs teaching assistant from Plymouth who was assaulted after being threatened repeatedly by a student had raised her concerns earlier but management ‘turned a blind eye’. UNISON member Andrea McGowan, who taught students with autistic spectrum conditions, suffered a back and neck injury after being put in a headlock by a student she had reprimanded for bad behaviour.
Thompsons Solicitors news release. Risks 891. 30 March 2019
USA: Employer accountable for violent death at work
In a landmark case, the US Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has ruled a social service employer is accountable for failing to protect workers from workplace violence. Integra Health Management was cited for safety violations following the death of an employee who was stabbed nine times, then left bleeding on a front lawn after a December 2012 home visit to an agency client with a history of mental illness and violent criminal behaviour.
National COSH news release. Statements from members of Congress and witnesses. AFL-CIO blog. USW news release. Risks 890. 23 March 2019
Britain: Tube workers face ‘shocking’ violence rise
One in five station-based Tube workers have been physically assaulted, according to research by the union RMT. RMT is calling for action including increased staffing to tackle this “growing tide of violence” against staff.
RMT news release. Evening Standard. BBC News Online. Risks 890. 23 March 2019
Britain: Employers urged to help lone workers stay safe
Lone working can be dangerous and employers need to take precautions to protect any employee working alone, the union UNISON has said. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of isolated workers report they have experienced violence and aggression from the public, the public service union’s biennial health and safety seminar heard.
UNISON news release and lone working guide. Risks 890. 23 March 2019
Global: ILO rules needed to address gender-based violence
Violence and harassment affect the lives of millions of women workers on a daily basis - yet there is still no law at the international level that sets a baseline for taking action to eradicate the problem at work, the global union IndustriALL has said. The union comments came ahead a second International Labour Organisation (ILO) discussion on violence and harassment in the world of work which will take place in June 2019 at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
IndustriALL news release.
ITUC campaign toolkit for a convention on gender-based violence at work. Risks 889. 16 March 2019
Britain: Waste firm’s respect campaign gets union approval
Waste workers in a London local authority should benefit from a new ‘respect and protect’ scheme, their union has said. GMB, which represents refuse, street cleansing and recycling employees employed by Serco under a Hammersmith & Fulham council waste management contract, is backing the company's Citizens Charter and Respect and Protect Campaign.
Serco news release. GMB news release. Risks 889. 16 March 2019
Britain: Southampton hospital security staff poorly protected
Security staff at Southampton General Hospital are regularly attacked in the accident and emergency (A&E) department and are not receiving even the basic protection they require, their union Unite has said. Unite said its members, employed by Mitie Security Ltd, report that the firm has refused to provide adequate personal protection equipment (PPE), such as stab vests and safety restraints, even though knife-related incidents are increasing.
Unite news release. Risks 889. 16 March 2019
Britain: Journalists demand an end to far-right intimidatory tactics
‘Abhorrent’ threats by right-wing activists targeting newspaper, freelance and broadcast journalists have prompted the journalists’ union NUJ to renew its demand that the authorities take action against the perpetrators. The union said individuals who seek to intimidate and silence the media by publishing photos, names or addresses of journalists and who urge their supporters to target journalists should not be allowed to do so, arguing this behaviour is unlawful harassment and intimidation.
NUJ news release. Morning Star. The Independent. The Guardian. Risks 889. 16 March 2019
Britain: Bullying can never be acceptable in the workplace
The TUC has repeated its warning that bullying is a health and safety issue that must be taking seriously at work. TUC guidance includes a simple survey form, “intended to cover both workplaces where there is no existing policy, as well as those where there is a policy – after all it is important to know that if there is a policy, it is working,” noted TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson.
TUC blog and Bullying at work: Guidance for workplace representatives. Risks 889. 16 March 2019
Britain: TUC criticises ‘piecemeal’ action on work harassment
The government has said it intends to prevent employers from using gagging clauses to stop people reporting criminal behaviour, harassment or discrimination to police. However, the TUC has criticised the government’s slow progress on sexual harassment at work, saying non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are ‘just one part of the jigsaw’.
The Guardian. Personnel Today. BBC News Online. The Independent. Risks 888. 9 March 2019
Britain: Parliament’s workers unprotected when sexually harassed
Staff and interns in parliament are “woefully unprotected” if they are sexually harassed at work due to “glaring gaps” in legislation, according to Fawcett Society research. Its report concluded parliament is effectively “above the law” on harassment because of these gaps in the legislation.
Fawcett Society news release and report. Morning Star. Risks 888. 9 March 2019
Britain: Bar worker choked by co-worker wins tribunal
A bar manager who was choked by a chef at their work Christmas party has been awarded more than £6,600 compensation from the firm. Molly Phillips passed out after Nathan Webb gripped her at the Cameo Club in Cardiff on 1 January 2018, in an incident caught on CCTV.
BBC News Online. Risks 887. 2 March 2019
Britain: Government warm words won’t protect shopworkers
Warm words and sympathy will not protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse, retail union Usdaw has said. The shopworkers’ leader Paddy Lillis was commenting after a protection of shopworkers amendment to the Offensive Weapons Bill was not accepted at a report stage debate on the Bill in the House of Lords.
Usdaw news release. House of Lords report stage debate, Hansard, 26 February 2019. Risks 887. 2 March 2019
Britain: Make bosses liable for sexual harassment at work
Employers who fail to tackle members of the public who grope and subject female staff to lewd jokes should be held to account, UNISON has said. The union wants to see the reinstatement of Section 40 of the Equality Act – a clause that ensured staff doing their jobs were safeguarded against third-party harassment.
UNISON news release. Risks 886. 23 February 2019
Britain: Minister promises consultation on harassment gags
A government minister has promised to launch a consultation into limiting the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) against employees after the emergence of further allegations of sexual, racial and physical abuse by retail billionaire Sir Philip Green. Penny Mordaunt, the minister for women and equalities, responded to reports in the Sunday Telegraph that Green had slapped a senior female executive on the bottom and kissed her on the face, after which she was allegedly paid more than £1m to stay silent about the incidents.
The Telegraph. Personnel Today. The Guardian. Risks 885. 16 February 2019
Britain: Appeal for information after attack on Tube driver
Witnesses have been urged to come forward after a Tube driver was assaulted on London’s Jubilee line. The British Transport Police BTP) has released pictures and CCTV footage of the 29 January incident, where the Tube driver was attacked with a bottle on board on a train at Kilburn station.
BTP news release. ASLEF news release. Risks 884. 9 February 2019
Britain: Concern at record levels of assaults on prison staff
The prison union Community is calling on the government to end ‘the cycle of violence’ in prisons. The comments from the union, which represents workers in the privatised justice and custodial sector, came in the wake of the latest Ministry of Justice ‘Safety in Custody’ report which revealed there were 10,085 assaults on prison staff in the twelve months to September 2018, a 29 per cent increase on the previous twelve months.
MoJ Safety in Custody quarterly update, published 31 January 2019. Community news release. Risks 884. 9 February 2019
Britain: Supermarket thefts put shopworkers at risk
The government must act to protect shopworkers in the face of a sharp increase in thefts from supermarkets, retail union Usdaw has said. The union was speaking out after Press Association statistics obtained from police forces in England and Wales revealed a 7 per cent increase in thefts from supermarkets over the last four years.
Usdaw news release and news release on the Offensive Weapons Bill’s progress. Offensive Weapons Bill Grand Committee (1st Day) - 28 January 2019.
BBC News Online. ITV News. Risks 884. 9 February 2019
Britain: Entertainment unions challenge bad practices
Entertainment unions have challenged the industry to ‘change the culture’ and tackle harassment in the creative sector, with many workers saying they fear speaking out. A conference organised by the Federation of Entertainment Union’s (FEU), as part of its Creating without Conflict campaign against bullying, harassment and discrimination in the media and creative industries, featured the launch of a new FEU equalities e-course and updated guidance.
NUJ news release and full FEU conference report. BECTU news release. Risks 884. 9 February 2019
Britain: Worker who spoke out about harassment vindicated
A Prospect member criticised and reduced to tears by a senior manager after going public about sexual harassment in a previous job has won a victimisation tribunal with the union’s support. An email from a senior manager criticised Lizzie Walmsley for lack of judgment in trusting journalists, the potential exposure of the Big Lottery Fund and breaches of Big Lottery Fund’s ethics and social media policies and at a follow up meeting with the same manager she was reduced to tears.
Prospect news release. The Third Sector. Risks 884. 9 February 2019
Global: Landmark agreement on hotel harassment
IUF, the global union for the hospitality sector, has signed a landmark agreement with Meliá Hotels International on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. The union federation says it is the first between the IUF and an international hotel chain.
IUF news release. Risks 883. 2 February 2019
Britain: Shop crimewave spurs union call for worker protection
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has called for government action to protect retail staff after new Office for National Statistics figures revealed a 30 per cent increase in police recorded incidents of shoplifting in England and Wales over the last decade. Paddy Lillis, the union’s general secretary said: “We want to see retailers, police and the courts working in partnership to ensure better protection for shopworkers. Retail staff are an important part of our communities; their role must be valued, respected and protected.”
Usdaw news release. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales, released 24 January 2019. Risks 883. 2 February 2019
Britain: RMT calls for an end to staff cuts as rail attacks soar
Rail union RMT has called for a halt to staffing cuts on stations and platforms, including the removal of guards, as new British Transport Police (BTP) figures showed knife crime on Britain’s railways has more than tripled in the past four years. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Staff are the eyes and ears of the service, axing them in the drive towards an automated and faceless railway in the name of profit gives a green light to the thugs and criminals and it is grossly and dangerously irresponsible.”
RMT news release. Risks 883. 2 February 2019
Britain: Liverpool signs up to UNISON’s end violence charter
Liverpool has become the first council in the country to make UNISON’s ‘End violence at work charter’ part of its commissioning process for third-sector care and housing providers. “Taking this step will help reduce the number of violent incidents staff are subjected to and will show all service providers we deal with that violence against staff is not something to be swept under the carpet,” UNISON’s Gavin Edwards told councillors.
UNISON news release. Risks 882. 26 January 2018
Britain: Tube staff cuts linked to violent crime surge
Tube union RMT has called for a reversal of job cuts and a renewed focus on safety, after ‘shocking’ official figures revealed a sharp rise in violent crime on the network. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT will be stepping up the fight to halt and reverse the cuts.”
RMT news release. BBC News Online. Risks 882. 26 January 2018
Britain: Shopworker abuse moves welcome, but not enough
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis has welcomed as a step in the right direction a Home Office minister’s offer of limited measures to address violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers, but has expressed dismay after another minister later said the government did not accept the union’s case for changes to the Offensive Weapons Bill to protect workers.
Usdaw news releases on the minister’s letter and the Lords debate. House of Lords debate on shopworker protection, 23 January 2019. Risks 882. 26 January 2018
Britain: Prison officer seriously hurt in boiling sugar water attack
Kent prison officer James Grant, who suffered burns and psychological trauma after a prisoner threw boiling sugar water at his face has secured £7,000 compensation with the help of his union POA. The mixture of boiling water and sugar, often referred to by prisoners as ‘napalm’, sticks to the skin and intensifies the burn.
Thompsons Solicitors news release. Kent Online. Risks 881. 19 January 2019
Britain: Lords back protection for shopworkers
Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has welcomed cross-party support for the protection of shopworkers during the second reading of the Offensive Weapons Bill in the House of Lords. Usdaw is calling on the government to provide greater protection for the shopworkers who will enforce the new law at the point of sale of knives and corrosive chemicals, a call backed by peers on 7 January.
Usdaw news release. Risks 881. 19 January 2019
Britain: Health trust fined over nurse stabbings
A health trust has been fined £300,000 after two nurses were repeatedly stabbed by a patient at a mental health centre in Kent. Sentencing the trust, Mr Justice Edis QC criticised procedures that were meant to ensure all knives were locked up and out of reach of patients as “ad hoc and inadequate.”
HSE news release. Gravesend Reporter. BBC News Online. Health Service Journal. Risks 880. 12 January 2019
Britain: ‘Disappointing’ government response on sexual harassment
The government’s plan to tackle sexual harassment at work falls way short by not creating a legal duty on employers to tackle the problem, the TUC has said. The union body was commenting on the government’s December 2018 response to a Women and Equalities Select Committee report, which includes a new code of practice and a commitment to undertake consultations on legal protections and on additional protections for volunteers and interns.
Government Equalities Office news release. TUC news release. House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee report into sexual harassment in the workplace and government response.
TUC Know Your Rights leaflet about sexual harassment and guide for union reps. Risks 880. 12 January 2019
Britain: Positive signs on protection for shopworkers
A round-table discussion between the Home Office, retailers and the union Usdaw on how to protect staff from violence, threats and abuse was ‘positive’, the retail union’s leader Paddy Lillis has said. Home Office minister Victoria Atkins agreed to the 11 December talks last month during the report stage of the Offensive Weapons Bill.
Usdaw news release. Sydney Morning Herald. Risks 879. 19 December 2018
Britain: RMT warns of escalating violence on de-staffed railways
Rail union RMT has warned of a growing threat from violence on Britain’s railways as a result of understaffing on the network. The union says staff numbers have been ‘hacked to the bone’, which could lead to major problems coping with demands over the festive season.
RMT news release. Network Rail news release. The Independent. Yorkshire Evening Post. Risks 879. 19 December 2018
Britain: Home Office to talk about legal protection for shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed a commitment from the Home Office to a round-table discussion with the union and retailers on how to legally protect staff from violence, threats and abuse. Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis welcomed the Home Office move and added: “A specific offence of obstructing a retail worker who is enforcing the law, which is easily understood by employers, staff, police, judiciary, shoppers and most of all violent criminals is absolutely necessary.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 878. 8 December 2018
Britain: TUC webinar on harassment at work, 11 December 2018
Workers suffer abuse from customers and members of the public all too frequently, from harassment through to violent acts. In its latest webinar, TUC young workers policy officer Kathryn Mackridge, will present young workers’ experiences of third-party abuse and show what unions can do to tackle this problem.
‘Don’t put up or shut up’, TUC webinar on workplace harassment, starts 2pm, 11 December 2018. Free. Register. Risks 877. 1 December 2018
Australia: Over six in ten women sexually harassed at work
Some 61 per cent of women and 35 per cent of men say they have experiencing sexual harassment at work, according to a survey conducted by Australia’s top union body. Preliminary findings of the ACTU survey on workplace harassment, which has so far received over 7,500 responses, reveal the widespread nature of sexual harassment in the workplace as unions lobby for the Fair Work Commission to be given powers over workplace disputes including harassment.
ACTU news release. The Guardian. Risks 876. 24 November 2018
Britain: 'Report it to sort it' message to under attack shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis is urging retail staff not to suffer in silence as Usdaw’s latest survey shows that 59 per cent of those who experienced violence, threats or abuse at work did not report the incident to their employer. Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said “it is very concerning that over half have never reported an incident, with one in six not reporting something as serious as an assault to their employer.”
Usdaw news release and Scottish release. Risks 876. 24 November 2018
Canada: Widow thrilled as anti-bullying law is introduced
A new bill to be introduced in a Canadian province is designed to offer better protection from bullying in the workplace. Prince Edward Island’s (PEI) Eric Donovan Bill is in memory of a man whose death was linked to harassment on the job.
CBC News. Risks 875. 17 November 2018
Britain: Attacks on shopworkers up, police numbers down
Retail trade union Usdaw has called on the government to increase funding and resources for the police to help them tackle a rising tide of attacks on shopworkers and theft from shops. The union was speaking out during its annual Respect for Shopworkers Week, 12-18 November.
Usdaw news release, related news release and Respect for Shopworkers Week. Suzy Lamplugh Trust news release and survey. Risks 875. 17 November 2018
Britain: Education workers call for backing for school safety charter
Education workers are urging local schools and councils to add their weight to a union charter aimed at ending violence against school staff by pupils. Between January 2017 and November 2018 1,594 physical assaults were carried out by pupils against school support staff across 13 local education authorities (LEAs), a Freedom of Information request by the GMB union has revealed.
Morning Star. Risks 875. 17 November 2018
Britain: Teachers sent home for refusing to teach violent pupils
Teachers at Kaimes School in Edinburgh have had their pay stopped and been barred entry to their classrooms after refusing to teach eight pupils in a dispute over violent and disruptive behaviour. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: “The action the council is taking against our members is far more disruptive to children’s education than any action the teachers themselves are taking.”
NASUWT news release. BBC News Online.
TUC violence at work guide and related violence and assaults reporting form. Risks 874. 10 November 2018
Britain: No hiding place for bullies in the ambulance service
There should soon be no hiding place for bullies at the South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS), health service union UNISON has said. The union was commenting on the publication of an independent four-month study found a third of staff had witnessed bullying, mostly of their colleagues, but of managers in some cases too.
UNISON news release. Independent report. Risks 874. 10 November 2018
Britain: Stronger protection from violence for NHS staff
The first ever health service violence reduction strategy is to be introduced, the government has said. UNISON head of health Sara Gorton, welcomed the new strategy, noting: “It is encouraging that the government has listened to unions and agreed to review measures in place to ensure staff safety.”
Department of Health and Social Care news release. The Sun. Daily Mail. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 873. 3 November 2018
Britain: Unite welcomes RSPCA chief’s commitment on harassment
The head of animal welfare charity RCPCA has promised action to address high levels of bullying and harassment in the organisation. New chief executive Chris Sherwood pledged to tackle his organisation’s toxic culture, revealed in a major survey undertaken by Unite.
Unite news release. Third Sector magazine. Risks 873. 3 November 2018
Britain: Welcome progress on harassment and bullying in parliament
The union Prospect has welcomed a decision of the House of Commons Commission to implement the recommendations of the independent report by Dame Laura Cox into bullying and harassment of staff in parliament. Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham responded: “This is a long overdue and very welcome decision that is a vital step in rebuilding trust between parliament and the staff who work there. Parliament may write our employment law but it has certainly not led the way on employment practices and it is disappointing that it has taken such public pressure to drag it into the 21st Century.”
Prospect news release. House of Commons Commission statement. Risks 873. 3 November 2018
Britain: Virgin staff safer after union bodycam ‘victory’
The use of bodycams by frontline workers on Virgin Trains has resulted in assaults on staff falling by more than half, in what the union RMT has described as a campaign ‘victory’. Following a pilot scheme, Virgin Trains said assaults on Virgin Trains staff have fallen month by month, from 20 in March 2018 to 6 in September.
RMT news release. Virgin Trains news release. Risks 872. 27 October 2018
Britain: Retail staff need protection as shoplifting continues to rise
The government must act in light of new Office for National Statistics (OHS) figures revealing a further increase in shoplifting in England and Wales in the year to June 2018. The union says these police-recorded reports confirm an upward trend that has seen a 32 per cent increase over the last decade.
Usdaw news release. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales, released 18 October 2018. Risks 872. 27 October 2018
Britain:Scottish government must end public services ‘aggro’
Public services union UNISON has called for action from the Scottish government to “end the aggro” faced by council and NHS workers. The union’s 2018 survey of violence at work revealed assaults on public service workers are running at more than 40,000 incidents for the third successive year.
UNISON news release. Violence at Work: A Survey of UNISON employers and staff in Scotland 2018. Risks 872. 27 October 2018
Britain: PCS to train reps to challenge sexual harassment at work
Civil service union PCS is to launch a one-day sexual harassment awareness course in the wake of ‘shocking’ reports exposing the culture of bullying, harassment and intimidation across the civil service. In conjunction with TUC Education, the union has designed the workshop to “raise awareness among all union reps, and give them the confidence and tools to challenge management where change is not forthcoming.”
PCS news release. Risks 872. 27 October 2018
Britain: Commons staff press for action on bullying and harassment
Union members working in the Houses of Parliament may have “little other choice” but to resort to action unless there is a tough response to the widespread bullying and sexual harassment revealed by a just-published probe, the union representing senior civil servants has warned. Amy Leversidge, assistant general secretary of the FDA, which represents top civil servants, said staff had been “pushed to breaking point” and Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham has written to the leaders of all parties at Westminster, stressing the need for effective leadership to put the wellbeing of staff ahead of political interests or personal agendas.
FDA news release. Prospect news release. Morning Star. Risks 872. 27 October 2018
Britain: Prison union welcomes safety equipment roll out
Prison officers across the country will be equipped with incapacitant spray to help keep them safe and maintain order, prisons minister Rory Stewart has announced. The news, which has been welcomed by the prison officers’ union POA, “will ensure every prison officer in the adult male estate is equipped with PAVA - a synthetic pepper spray which temporarily incapacitates those it is sprayed upon,” the government said.
Ministry of Justice news release. POA news release. Risks 871. 20 October 2018
Britain: New report must signal end of parliamentary bullying
A newly published independent report into parliamentary bullying and harassment should be ‘the final nail in the coffin’ of the culture of abuse of parliamentary staff by MPs, the union Prospect has said. The report from Dame Laura Cox found a culture of “deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence” in Westminster where abuse was “tolerated and covered up”.
The bullying and harassment of House of Commons staff: Independent Inquiry Report, Dame Laura Cox DBE, 15 October 2018. Prospect news release. BBC News Online. Morning Star. The Guardian. Risks 871. 20 October 2018
Australia: Two-thirds of cabin crew sexually harassed
Two-thirds (65 per cent) of airline cabin crew have experienced sexual harassment, with one in five crew reporting more than 10 incidents, a union survey has found. The findings “show that airlines are not taking the problem seriously and are not supporting workers when they are faced with what are daily assaults on them,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.
TWU news release. Skift. Risks 870. 13 October 2018.
Britain: Study confirms the vital safety role of train guards
New research from the rail union RMT has revealed the vital role train guards play in delivering a safe, secure and accessible railway. The union says the crucial safety critical role of guards is demonstrated by the fact that 80 per cent of guards have prevented an emergency situation and used their safety critical training in an actual emergency situation.
RMT news release. Risks 870. 13 October 2018.
Britain: Rail violence hike shows need to halt staff cuts
Rail union RMT has called for an immediate halt to plans to axe train guards and ‘de-staff’ stations after new official figures from the British Transport Police (BTP) revealed a sharp 17 per cent increase in violent incidents on Britain's railways. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the “shocking figures” demonstrate “nothing short of criminal negligence on the part of those rail companies that have axed guards and de-staffed stations in the drive for profits."
RMT news release. BTP news release. Risks 870. 13 October 2018.
Britain: New dignity at work agreement protects postal workers
A new dignity at work collective agreement between the postal workers’ union CWU and Post Office management pledges the organisation will be “a safe space for all, where everyone feels valued and treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.” CWU postal executive member Lynn Simpson, who played a leading role in constructing the new policy, said: “It sends a clear message that bullying, discrimination, intimidation or threatening behaviours are not acceptable and there are robust procedures in place to ensure a safe working environment.”
CWU news release and joint statement. Risks 870. 13 October 2018.
Britain: Shoppers agree that shopworkers deserve protection
The overwhelming majority of shoppers believe the government should protect shopworkers from violence and abuse when enforcing age-restricted sales laws, according to a new poll published by the Co-operative Party. Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis commented: “When parliament passes laws that shopworkers have to enforce, they should also provide legal protection for shopworkers.”
Cooperative Party news release. Usdaw news release and Freedom from Fear campaign. Risks 870. 13 October 2018.
Britain: Crime rising on trains as staff are cut, RMT warns
Crime levels on Northern rail services are climbing because ‘greedy’ operators are putting profits before passengers by shedding staff, rail union RMT has said. The union said the problem will worsen if the company succeeds in removing safety-critical guards from trains.
RMT news releases on the Piccadilly Line strike and on Northern Rail. Morning Star. Risks 869. 8 October 2018
Britain: Union praises ‘brave’ prison officers
The disturbances at Long Lartin prison are a further illustration of the crisis engulfing Britain’s prison system, the prison officers’ union POA has said. In the wake of a weekend of riots at the prison, the union said its call for protective measures to help staff quell the ‘unprecedented levels of violence’ had been vindicated.
POA news releases on prisons in crisis and the Long Lartin disturbances. Risks 869. 8 October 2018
Japan: Sexual harassment still not taken seriously
Progress this year towards an International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention on harassment and violence in the workplace has focused attention in Japan on an issue often ignored or downplayed in the country. On 19 September, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Labour Policy Council began serious talks on the subject.
Mainichi Shimbun. Reports of the Standard-Setting Committee on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work: Summary of proceedings, ILO, 2018. Risks 868. 29 September 2018
Britain: NHS bullying to be tackled
The government has said that it will crack down on NHS directors who fail to act on what ministers say are “alarming” levels of bullying of hospital staff. Stephen Barclay, a health minister, has told The Independent he wants the current “fit and proper” person test for NHS directors to be widened to require action on harassment and discrimination.
Independent. Risks 867. 22 September 2018
Britain: Prison workers act on violence
The prison officer’s union, the POA, has taken protest action over the huge rise in violence in Britain’s prisons. It was triggered by a letter from Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke to the Secretary of State issuing an Urgent Notification Notice at HMP Bedford following a catalogue of failures.
POA new release. POA update. Risks 867. 22 September 2018
Britain: Shopworkers welcome amendment on weapons
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw, has welcomed an amendment to the Offensive Weapons Bill that will make it a specific offence to obstruct a shopworker in their duty to enforce the law on the sale of offensive weapons. Shopworkers face growing violence and intimidation when they refuse to sell prohibited items such as acid and knives to those considered underage.
Usdaw release. Risks 867. 22 September 2018
Britain: Better protection for emergency workers
Unions have welcomed a new law that will make it a criminal offence to assault emergency workers including police, paramedics, firefighters, prison officers, search and rescue personnel and custody officers. The current six-month maximum sentence for common assault will be doubled to a year for the new crime created by the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which will also enable judges to increase terms given to people committed for a range of other crimes where the involvement of emergency services was an “aggravating factor”.
GMB release The act Protect the protectors campaign. Risks 867. 22 September 2018
Britain: School support staff experiencing ‘shocking’ violence
Half of school support staff have experienced ‘shocking’ violence at work, with incidents including stabbings and attempted strangulations, a study by the union GMB has found. More than half of school staff had first-hand experience of violence at work – with more than 16 per cent suffering attacks every week, the new GMB figures show.
GMB news release. The Independent. Risks 866. 15 September 2018
Britain: Unions want justice for Grenfell and harassment victims
There must be justice for the victims of the Grenfell fire and those harmed by workplace sexual harassment, unions have said. Delegates to the TUC Congress, held from 9-12 September in Manchester, called for politicians to be held to account over the decisions that led to 72 people dying in the Grenfell Tower blaze last year and endorsed a motion calling for changes in the law to empower victims.
TUC Congress 2018 webpages and Congress motions. TUC blog. Morning Star coverage of the TUC Congress on Grenfell and sexual harassment. Risks 866. 15 September 2018
Britain: Civil service unions raise harassment concerns
Civil service unions in Scotland have said all workers must be safe from harassment at work. Unions PCS, Prospect and the FDA provided the statement to members employed by Scottish ministers, Scottish public bodies and in the Scottish parliament in the wake of media coverage of harassment allegations by two civil servants against former first minister Alex Salmond.
PCS news release. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 864. 1 September 2018
Britain: Private operator G4S loses control of Birmingham Prison
Prison unions have said the decision by the government to take over running of Birmingham Prison from private company G4S ilustrates how a combination of privatisation and underfunding has put the safety of inmates and prison staff at risk. The decision to remove the prison from G4S’ control came after the chief inspector of prisons Peter Clarke described it as the worst prison he had ever been to.
BBC News Online. POA news release. Community news release. Risks 863. 25 August 2018
Britain: Police chiefs agree to act on sexual harassment
Police chiefs have pledged to act over high levels of sexual harassment among police staff identified in a report by UNISON, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Surrey. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said the report highlights some ‘outdated and unacceptable behaviour’.
UNISON news release. BBC News Online. Risks 863. 25 August 2018
Britain: Usdaw ‘extremely concerned’ as shopworkers told to make arrests
Retail union Usdaw has said it is ‘extremely concerned’ by news some police forces are advising shopworkers to detain shoplifters by using a citizen’s arrest. The union said the ‘worrying’ idea is neither safe nor practical.
Usdaw news release. Daily Mail.Risks 861. 11 August 2018
Britain: Shopworkers press for protection from offensive weapons
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has given evidence to the parliamentary public bill committee scrutinising the Offensive Weapons Bill. The union is calling for amendments to the Bill that will make it an offence to attempt to purchase corrosive substances and knives underage or to intimidate or assault a worker enforcing the law on age restricted sales.
Usdaw news release. Offensive Weapons Bill. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
Britain: Mental health workers 'facing rising tide of assaults'
New figures showing that Scotland’s mental health workers face a rising tide of assaults are “just the tip of the iceberg,” a union has warned. There were 8,519 incidents resulting in injury in the country’s mental health facilities in 2017/18 – equating to almost one an hour.
Morning Star. The Herald. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
Britain: Student performers are being abused
Joint research by the Musicians’ Union (MU), Equity and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has revealed one in two music, dance and drama students are at risk from bullying and discrimination, including sexual harassment. Out of the 600 students who responded to the survey, just over half said they had experienced some sort of incident in the course of their study, with over 50 per cent of those affected choosing not to report their concerns.
Musicians Union news release. Dignity in study report. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
Britain: Firms must be forced to tackle sexual harassment, says MPs
Businesses, government and regulators are failing to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, MPs have found. The parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee has published a five-point plan to deal with the problem and has called for new laws to protect workers.
Parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee news release and 25 July 2018 report. TUC news release. BBC News Online. The Guardian. Huffpost. The Independent.
TUC Know Your Rights leaflet about sexual harassment and guide for union reps. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
Britain: Unions welcome code of behaviour for parliament
Unions representing journalists, parliamentary staff and civil servants have welcomed a new code of behaviour for parliament prepared by a cross-party working group. The group, which proposes the creation of a new independent complaints and grievance procedure, was set up in November 2017 to create a grievance process.
House of Commons news release. NUJ news release. Prospect news release. Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
Britain: Call for Barclays to pay victims of work sex assault doctor
Barclays is under pressure to provide quick compensation to 126 former employees who say they were sexually assaulted by a doctor hired by the bank. The bank lost a legal bid to escape liability for the claims in the Court of Appeal.
Financial Mail on Sunday. BBC News Online. Newcastle Chronicle. Risks 859. 28 July 2018
USA: Hotel ‘hands off’ anti-harassment rules take effect
Celebrating what they called a “cultural shift” for women workers’ rights, union activists and city officials gathered on 1 July to mark Chicago’s implementation of an ordinance requiring hotels to provide panic buttons for employees to report harassment. Hotels are now required to supply portable panic buttons for workers who “clean, inventory, inspect or re-stock supplies” alone in guest rooms or restrooms, allowing them to send out alerts when they feel threatened.
Chicago Sun Times. CBS Chicago News. Hands off pants on website. Risks 856. 7 July 2018
Britain: More prison officers resigning as violence soars
The number of prison officers resigning from their jobs has more than doubled in the last two years amid soaring levels of violence and self-harm in UK jails. Ministers have been accused of driving a crisis in prisons after an analysis of official figures revealed one in 16 officers resigned last year, compared with one in 33 officers two years before and just one in 100 in 2009/10.
The Independent. Risks 856. 7 July 2018
Britain: New union resource tackles sexual harassment
Sexual harassment at work is a trade union issue – that’s the strong message in a new ‘Workplace guide to dealing with sexual harassment’ produced by the linked unions BECTU and Prospect. “The message to employers is clear: cultivating a respectful workplace is the single most valuable protection against sexual harassment and other unwanted behaviours,” Prospect and BECTU note.
BECTU news report and guide. Risks 855. 30 June 2018
Britain: Body cams for paramedics in Wales after attack spike
Paramedics in Wales could soon wear body cameras after a spike in ambulance staff being attacked. Paramedic Nathan Holman, the GMB branch secretary for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said the move would help to improve safety and increase prosecutions.
BBC News Online. Risks 854. 23 June 2018
Britain: Labour will end 'scourge' of sexual harassment at work
Labour will clamp down on the ‘scourge’ of sexual harassment at work and make it easier for victims of discrimination to take their companies to an employment tribunal. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the party would ban the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence victims of sexual assault.
Labour Party news release. The Independent. Risks 853. 16 June 2018
Britain: A third of women have faced sexual harassment at work
A third of women have experienced workplace sexual harassment, a survey conducted by the union Prospect has found. The ‘disturbing’ findings indicate many forms of sexual harassment are still prevalent across the UK workforce, the union said.
Prospect news release and guide on sexual harassment at work. Risks 853. 16 June 2018
Britain: Award for assaulted ambulance worker who inspired campaign
An ambulance technician who suffered a harrowing sexual assault before using her experience to campaign successfully to improve the law has been given a special award. Sarah Kelly, who works for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), was handed the Eleanor Marx special award at GMB’s annual congress in Brighton.
GMB news release. Risks 853. 16 June 2018
Britain: UNISON calls time on violence and abuse at work
A UNISON violence at work charter has been launched officially in the Houses of Parliament. In a blog posting to mark the 11 June event, which was attended by dozens of MPs, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said the charter is “a list of ten basic actions which employers can take to improve safety at work – including training, support for victims of violence and monitoring of incidents.”
UNISON news release and related post. UNISON violence at work charter and campaign briefing. Risks 853. 16 June 2018
Asia: Female garment workers for Gap and H&M routinely abused
Pressure to meet fast fashion deadlines is leading to women working in Asian factories supplying Gap and H&M being sexually and physically abused, according to unions and labour rights groups. More than 540 workers at factories that supply the two retailers have described incidents of threats and abuse, according to two separate reports from Global Labour Justice on gender-based violence in Gap and H&M’s garment supply chains.
Global Labour Justice news release and Gap and H&M reports. Fashion United. The Guardian. Risks 852. 9 June 2018.
Global: Marriott workers demand action on sexual harassment
Union members from Marriott hotels in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas came together in Geneva on 29 May to call for action to end the ‘endemic sexual harassment’ that plagues the industry. Global union IUF, the federation covering hospitality unions, said surveys around the world have indicated that a large majority of hospitality workers - up to 89 per cent in some countries - have experienced sexual harassment in the course of their working lives.
IUF news release. Risks 852. 9 June 2018.
Britain: One in ten school staff exposed to sexual misbehaviour
Disturbing new figures from the union GMB show more than one in ten school support staff who responded to a survey have experienced sexually inappropriate behaviour from pupils. GMB said the ‘shocking’ statistics come from its nationwide survey of members, which found the abuse was leaving some staff intimidated and ‘mentally scarred’.
GMB news release. Risks 852. 9 June 2018.
USA: McDonald’s workers describe rampant harassment
Cooks and cashiers at McDonald’s fast food restaurants in eight US states have filed 10 complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging they have faced sexual harassment, assault and retaliation for raising concerns at work. Complaints from the McDonald’s workers were filed with financial support from the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, a $21 million charity launched in January to support low-income workers who want to report sexual harassment.
National Women’s Law Center news release. Washington Post. Bloomberg News. Risks 851. 2 June 2018
USA: Most firms still failing to address sexual harassment
Fewer than a third of working Americans (32 per cent) believe their employer has taken new measures to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. APA found that according to employees, the most common action taken was simply reminding employees of existing sexual harassment training or resources (18 per cent).
APA news release. Workplace sexual harassment: Are employers actually responding? APA, 15 May 2018. Risks 849. 19 May 2018
Britain: Pupils and staff left exposed to violence in Scottish schools
Pupils and school staff in Scottish schools are being put at risk as a result of the failure of some schools to act on information about violent and disruptive pupils, teaching union NASUWT has said. The union is concerned that schools are ‘failing in their duty to record and address all incidents of serious pupil violence and disruption’.
NASUWT news release. Risks 849. 19 May 2018
Afghanistan: Ten journalists killed in a single day
Unknown gunmen killed Ahmad Shah, a journalist with BBC Afghan service, on 30 April, making it the deadliest for media in the country as nine other journalists were killed earlier in the day in a suicide attack in Kabul. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) in strongly condemning the targeted killing of Shah and demanded swift action from the authorities to arrest and punish the killers.
IFJ news release. BBC News Online. Risks 847. 5 May 2018
Britain: Union calls on MPs for action on workplace sexual harassment
A change to the law may be needed to prevent sexual harassment at work, Prospect’s Marion Scovell has told an influential committee of MPs. The union’s head of legal was one of the expert witnesses called to give evidence to the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee as part of their inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace.
Prospect news release and evidence to the Women’s and Equalities Committee inquiry. House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into sexual harassment at work and latest evidence session. Risks 847. 5 May 2018
Britain: Union welcomes move to ‘protect the protectors’
The union GMB is celebrating a double victory after the 'protect the protectors' Bill won cross-party support from MPs last week – with new measures to punish sexual attacks on emergency workers added to the draft law. The union-backed Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill introduces a new offence of common assault against an emergency worker and requires courts to treat attacks on emergency workers as an aggravating factor when sentencing.
GMB news release and related release on the increase in attacks on ambulance workers. Risks 847. 5 May 2018
Britain: Sex attacks on ambulance workers soaring
The union GMB is calling for tough action after shocking new figures revealed sex attacks on ambulance workers have more than tripled in the last five years. GMB national secretary Rehana Azam said: “GMB is calling for sexual assaults to be included in this new legislation to help give our ambulance staff the reassurance they need to get on with the job.”
GMB news release. Morning Star. Risks 846. 28 April 2018
Britain: Voluntary sector campaign against work violence wins backing
A UNISON campaign to tackle violence against workers in the voluntary sector is attracting wide support. The union’s community service group says 18 organisations have now signed up to the UNISON violence at work charter.
UNISON news release and Violence at Work Charter. Risks 846. 28 April 2018
Britain: Shopworkers policing age-restricted sales need more protection
Shopworkers told to enforce age-limits on restricted products like alcohol need better protection, their union has said. Paddy Lillis, Usdaw’s general secretary elect, said: “Age-related sales are a cause for concern amongst our retail membership, because they bring with them the very real risk of abuse, legal sanctions, and disciplinary action.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 846. 28 April 2018
USA: Union calls for hotel auditions to be banned
Acting auditions should no longer take place in hotel rooms or homes, the leading US actors' union has said. SAG-AFTRA, which organises the Screen Actors Guild Awards, has called for an end to the practice “to help protect members from potential harassment.”
SAG-AFTRA news release and Four Pillars of Change initiative. BBC News Online. TeenVogue. ITUC action toolkit on the campaign for an ILO standard on gender-based violence. Risks 845. 21 April 2018
Britain: Steep rise in reported assaults against NHS staff
Physical assaults on NHS staff in England rose by nearly 10 per cent last year compared to 2015/16, according to new research by UNISON and Health Service Journal (HSJ). UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Across the entire NHS, staff shortages are harming patient care and helping to create a hostile environment where health workers are increasingly at risk of being assaulted.”
UNISON news release. NHS Employers news release. Evening Standard.
TUC violence at work guidance. Hit list: TUC violence and abuse reporting form, Hazards magazine. Risks 845. 21 April 2018
Britain: Abuse of transport staff surges after minister’s ‘terrorists’ comment
London transport workers have faced a wave of racist abuse and threats after security minister Ben Wallace suggested the workforce had been infiltrated by terrorists. RMT general secretary, Mick Cash, commented: “The union understands that the first senior London Underground managers knew of this story was when they were contacted by reporters and we hope that Tube managers and the Mayor will support and protect staff facing threats and abuse as a result of the coverage.”
RMT news release. London Evening Standard. Daily Mail. Morning Star. Risks 845. 21 April 2018
Britain: Usdaw presses for Scottish shopworker protection law
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw and businesses are supporting a new law to protect workers in Scotland. Labour MSP Daniel Johnson is promoting a Bill that would create new offences regarding assaults on shopworkers and others, like bar and pub staff, who are involved in the sale and supply of age-restricted good and services.
Usdaw news release and Not part of the job website. Risks 845. 21 April 2018
Britain: Intelligence failure puts pupils and staff at violence risk
Pupils and school staff are being put at risk as a result of the failure of some schools to share information about violent and disruptive pupils, teaching union NASUWT has said. The union said “in too many cases adequate risk assessments are not undertaken of pupils who persistently display high levels of aggression and violence in school.”
NASUWT news release. Risks 844. 14 April 2018
Britain: Equity launches ‘safe spaces’ campaign
Actors’ union Equity has launched a ‘safe spaces’ campaign to tackle what it says is an entertainment industry sexual harassment ‘crisis’. The union says its campaign aims to give members “the confidence to challenge inappropriate behaviour and to report it knowing that the union is always there for them.”
Equity news release, Creating Safe Spaces poster and Agenda for Change. Risks 844. 14 April 2018
Britain: Harassment victims silenced by 'corrosive' work cultures
Victims of sexual harassment at work need better protection because their voices have been silenced by “corrosive” workplace cultures, a report has said. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it had discovered “truly shocking” examples of sexual harassment.
EHRC news release and report, Turning the tables: ending sexual harassment at work. TUC news release. Unite news release. NUJ news release. Morning Star. The Independent. BBC News Online. Risks 843. 7 April 2018
Britain: Union action call after sharp rise in corner shop crime
A sharp rise in convenience shop crime had spurred a renewed union call for action. The call from retail union Usdaw came after latest Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) figures revealed nearly a million thefts from UK convenience stores in 2017, a 65 per cent increase on the previous year.
ACS news release. Usdaw news release. Risks 842. 24 March 2018
Britain: Serious concerns about abuse of parliamentary staff
Civil service union Prospect has said bullying and harassment is never acceptable in any workplace. The union was commenting after BBC Newsnight exposed widespread bullying and harassment of clerks and committee staff in the House of Commons, with some senior MPs implicated.
Prospect news release. BBC News Online. Bullying, harassment and intimidation in the House of Commons, BBC Newsnight, 8 March 2018. Risks 841. 17 March 2018
Britain: Equity acts on sexual harassment crisis
Equity is demanding a safe working environment for its members. The actors’ union says they must not have to endure or observe sexual harassment, adding that perpetrators must understand there is nowhere to hide.
Equity news release. Agenda for Change: Equity’s report on sexual harassment. Risks 841. 17 March 2018
Britain: Violence against shopworkers increases ‘significantly’
Surveys by a retail trade group and the shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw have both revealed a disturbing increase in violence against retail staff during 2017. John Hannett, the Usdaw general secretary, commented: “Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected.”
Usdaw news release. BRC news release. Risks 841. 17 March 2018
Britain: Action threat over assaults on prison officers
The threat of violence against prison officers could lead to industrial action unless they ‘are given the tools to keep them safe’, their union POA has said. The union was speaking out after what it described as “another weekend of chaos and assaults in prisons”.
POA news release. ITV News. BBC News Online. Risks 841. 17 March 2018
Britain: Sexual harassment at work is violence against women
Sexual harassment is a form of violence against women, and it’s happening in our workplaces all the time, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady has said, adding stopping it is a trade union priority. In a TUC blog article she notes that “before the media attention, before women felt able to say #metoo in their thousands, trade unions were supporting members in their workplaces, fighting for dignity at work, and campaigning to end violence and harassment in all forms.”
TUC blog. ITUC action toolkit on the campaign for an ILO standard on gender-based violence. Risks 841. 17 March 2018
Australia: Women report 'shocking' treatment at work
Less than a third of Australian working women feel they are being treated equally, and one in 10 report they have experienced sexual harassment, according to a landmark national survey. Researchers at the University of Sydney surveyed more than 2,000 women and 500 men across Australia aged between 16 and 40 for the Women and the Future of Work study into women's attitudes and experiences in the workplace.
University of Sydney news release. ABC News. Sydney Morning Herald. The Guardian. Risks 840. 10 March 2018
Australia: Claim nurse’s murder not work-related is questioned
The family of Australian nurse Gayle Woodford, who was murdered while on-call in the outback, is challenging an official ruling that her death was not work-related. An ABC documentary has challenging the conclusion and says bereaved family members are “angry” and “insulted” by the decision by the South Australia safety regulator that her death was not work-related
ABC News online. Final Call, Australian Story. Risks 840. 10 March 2018
Britain: Harassment of staff rife in Scottish parliament
One fifth of Scottish parliament staff - including almost one in three women - have experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour while working at Holyrood. The parliament published the results of a confidential survey of MSPs and staff which received input from more than 1,000 workers.
Scottish parliament news release. BBC News Online. Risks 840. 10 March 2018
USA: School unions call for prevention after gun tragedy
School unions in the US have called for action to prevent further gun deaths, after 17 people were killed and another 16 injured in a 13 February attack by an excluded former pupil. Randi Weingarten, president of the teaching union AFT, said that with 18 school shootings this year in the US, one had to wonder “when is enough enough?”, adding the union “will continue to fight to prevent gun violence from becoming the new normal in our schools.”
EI news release. AFT news release. NEA news release. The Pump Handle. Statement by President Donald Trump. Statement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and related speech. Risks 824. 24 February 2018
Britain: MPs launch inquiry into workplace harassment
MPs are to examine the use of non-disclosure agreements as part of an inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace. The Women and Equalities Committee will also investigate how to protect staff and make it easier for them to report abuse are among other issues that will be examined.
Women and Equalities Committee news release. BBC News Online. Risks 837. 17 February 2018
Britain: Action on harassment in parliament ‘not enough’
Unite, which represents hundreds of MPs staff, has welcomed the 8 February publication of a report into tackling the bullying and harassment in parliament. Unite national officer Siobhan Endean said: “The working group has made real progress into starting to tackle the widespread bullying and harassment of parliamentary staff,” but she added: “While the working’s group remit did not include the recognition of trade unions, it is crucial to ensuring that members can receive assistance at an early stage and issues can be quickly and properly resolved, without workers feeling their working lives are a misery and feel forced to resign.”
Statement from Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom, Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy, Hansard, 8 February 2018. Unite news release. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 837. 17 February 2018
Global: Media workers call for end to impunity as 82 die
At total of 82 journalists and media staff were killed doing their jobs in 2017, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has said. ‘Time to end impunity’, the global media union’s report, said the number of work-related killings of journalists fell to their lowest level in a decade, but added “the death toll in journalism remains unacceptably high.”
NUJ news release. IFJ news release and report, Time to end impunity: Journalists and media staff killed in 2017. Risks 836. 10 February 2018
Global: New violence and harassment risks in digital technology
Workers in ‘digitised’ working environments are facing new psychosocial risks and problems with work-related violence and harassment, a study for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has found. University of Leicester business professor Phoebe Moore said: “This includes the ’gig economy’, automation practices and algorithmic management, people analytics, computerisation, wearable tracking. Overall, it’s about the use of big data and quantification to make selective, predictive and prescriptive decisions related to work, workers, and the workplace.”
ILO news release and report, The threat of physical and psychosocial violence and harassment in digitalized work, ILO ACTRAV, February 2018. Risks 836. 10 February 2018
Britain: Violence injuries in education shoot up
The number of serious injuries suffered by education staff in attacks has shot up by 24 per cent compared to five years ago, the union GMB has said. GMB national officer Karen Leonard said: “Throughout 2018 we will be asking schools to sign up to GMB’s code of conduct to ensure attacks on members, when they happen, are dealt with properly."
GMB news release. Morning Star. Risks 836. 10 February 2018
Britain: Sexual harassers can’t hide behind secrecy clauses
Non-disclosure agreements must not be used to prevent sexual harassment and other workplace abuses being exposed, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady has said. “Scaring workers into staying silent cannot become common practice.”
The Guardian. Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace: A TUC guide for trade union activists, TUC, July 2016. Protection from sexual harassment, TUC, November 2017. It’s not OK: Sexual harassment at work is more blue collar than red carpet, special report, Hazards, December 2017. Hansard, 22 January 2018. Risks 836. 10 February 2018
Britain: Union protection is ‘best antidote’ to sexual harassment
Unions play a crucial role in empowering workers to resist sexual harassment, London School of Economics (LSE) researchers have found. LSE professors Sarah Ashwin and Naila Kabeer found organisations working in partnership with local trade unions or worker representatives are more likely to succeed in addressing sexual harassment and violence.
LSE blog. Tufts Labor website. Risks 836. 10 February 2018
USA: Las Vegas hotel housekeepers press for panic buttons
The union representing tens of thousands of hotel workers in Las Vegas is to ask casino-resort operators to give every housekeeper a “panic button” as it begins negotiating new contracts amid the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. Leaders of the Culinary Union will bring the request to the bargaining table this month, on behalf of the more than 14,000 housekeepers who work on the Las Vegas Strip and the destination’s downtown area.
Culinary Workers Union Local 226. National Post.
Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace: A TUC guide for trade union activists, TUC, July 2016. Protection from sexual harassment, TUC, November 2017. It’s not OK: Sexual harassment at work is more blue collar than red carpet, special report, Hazards, December 2017. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Concern for shopworkers at another shoplifting rise
Retail union Usdaw has questioned whether police cuts are contributing to an increasing in crimes, including shoplifting. The union’s general secretary John Hannett was commenting after the Office for National Statistics revealed a 10 per cent increase in incidents of shoplifting recorded by the police in the year to September 2017.
Usdaw news release. Police recorded crimes in England and Wales for year ending September 2017, ONS, January 2018. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Violent crime payouts to shopworkers cut by half
The number of retail workers receiving criminal injury compensation after a violent crime at work has almost halved since the government introduced cost-cutting changes, research by Usdaw has found. The retail union said its analysis of the impact of restrictive changes in November 2012 to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) “show that applications for compensation by the union on behalf of members injured by a criminal have almost halved, down by 47.4 per cent.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Teaching assistants face daily violence in schools
Teaching assistances are facing daily verbal and physical abuse from pupils, GMB has said. The union, which represents more than a third of support staff, told the BBC Radio 5 Live programme it wants schools to adopt a code of conduct on handling pupil violence against staff.
BBC News Online and BBC 5 Live programme. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Sexual harassment is rife in hospitality, survey shows
Nine out of 10 hospitality workers have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to the preliminary finding of a new survey by Unite. The initial findings of the union’s #NotOnTheMenu survey reveal that of those respondents who had experienced sexual harassment, 56.3 per cent said that they had been targeted by a member of the public and 22.7 per cent said that they had been harassed by a manager.
Unite news release and #NotOnTheMenu survey. Financial Times. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Presidents Club exposes need for sexual harassment laws
The abuse of women hospitality workers at a glitzy men-only London charity dinner shows the need for stronger laws to protect workers from sexual harassment, unions Unite and Prospet have said. They were speaking out after the Presidents Club, which counted billionaires, celebrities and politicians among its high-society patrons, was forced to close down after an undercover journalist for the Financial Times reported how hostesses recruited by an agency were routinely groped and sexually harassed at the charity’s fundraising event.
Unite news release. Prospect blog. Financial Times. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Sexual harassment widespread in theatre industry
Almost a third of theatre professionals in the UK have been sexually harassed at work, according to a survey. The Stage magazine asked over 1,000 people working in the industry for their experiences, with 31 per cent saying they had suffered sexual harassment.
BECTU news release. The Stage. BBC News Online. Risks 835. 3 February 2018
Britain: Staff safety fears at Wrexham super-prison
Staff at Wrexham's £250m super-prison have claimed it is unsafe, less than 12 months after it opened. The Prison Officers Association (POA) told BBC Wales a “culture of fear” existed among staff at HMP Berwyn.
POA news release. BBC News Online. Risks 834. 27 January 2018
Britain: New bid to protect retail workers from violence
A member of the Scottish parliament has launched a consultation on his plan for a new law to protect shop and bar workers from violence. Labour MSP Daniel Johnson is seeking views on a member’s bill to create new offences around the assault and abuse of workers who sell age-restricted items such as alcohol and cigarettes.
Usdaw news release. Not part of the job consultation website. BBC News Online. Risks 834. 27 January 2018
Global: Half of women journalists suffer violence at work
Almost one in two women journalists have suffered sexual harassment, psychological abuse, online trolling and others forms of gender-based violence (GBV) while working. Overall, 85 per cent say no or inadequate action has been taken against perpetrators and most workplaces do not even have a written policy to counter such abuses or provide a mechanism for reporting them.
IFJ news release. Risks 832. 13 January 2018
Britain: Survey exposes bullying of staff by MPs
Research by the BBC has found almost a quarter of staffers working for MPs have been bullied at Westminster, with 1-in-7 of all those responding saying they had suffered at the hands of the MP for whom they worked. The findings came in responses to a questionnaire sent by BBC 5 live to all staff publicly listed as working for MPs in parliament.
BBC News Online and related article. Updated ministerial code. Risks 832. 13 January 2018
Britain: Shop worker murdered for enforcing the law
A 16-year-old boy who is alleged to have attacked a shop worker who refused to sell him cigarette papers has been arrested on suspicion of murder. DI Ian Lott, who is leading the investigation, said: “A man has lost his life for no reason other than trying to uphold the law.”
Metropolitan Police news release. The Guardian. Risks 832. 13 January 2018
Britain: Scottish emergency services staff assaulted routinely
Attacks on emergency service workers in Scotland have reached a three-year high, according to new official figures. A total of 6,509 common assaults were recorded on police, fire and ambulance workers across Scotland in 2016/17, equivalent to more than 17 per day.
BBC News Online. Risks 832. 13 January 2018
Britain: Parliamentary harassment plan got good enough
A 21 December 2017 statement by leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom on progress by the working group on bullying and harassment in parliament reveals not enough progress has been made, unions have said. The statement commits parliament to a new independent complaints and grievance procedure.
Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy, Hansard, 21 December 2017. Unite news release. NUJ news release. Risks 831. 6 January 2018
Global: Sexual harassment at work is a chronic health problem
Workers who are subject to sexual harassment at work suffer more sickness and are at risk of a wide range of serious health problems as a consequence, a new report has said. ‘It’s not OK’, a special report from Hazards magazine, notes: “Sexual harassment is an everyday fact of working life for many women, too ordinary to interest the media and too scared or concerned for their jobs to cry for help.”
It’s not OK: Sexual harassment at work is more blue collar than red carpet, special report, Hazards, December 2017. Risks 830. 16 December 2017
Britain: Insecure workers face more sexual harassment
Two fifths of women and a fifth of men in the UK say they have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour at work, an in-depth poll for the BBC has found. The ComRes Sexual Behaviour Survey for BBC News also fond that in those in flexible work - including zero hours contracts, self-employed, freelancer and gig economy workers – 43 per cent had experienced some form of sexual harassment at work, compared to 29 per cent of those with permanent jobs.
BBC News Online. ComRes Sexual Behaviour Survey. Personnel Today. Risks 830. 16 December 2017
Britain: Warning on sexual harassment at Xmas parties
Employers should be extra vigilant during the office Christmas party season, when sexual harassment can be a particular problem, the TUC has said. Polling for the TUC discovered 1 in 7 victims of sexual harassment said it took place at a work social event.
TUC news release and resources: Protection from sexual harassment, TUC, November 2017. Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace: A TUC guide for trade union activists, TUC, July 2016. Still just a bit of banter?, TUC, August 2016. Risks 830. 16 December 2017
Britain: Local authority fined after social workers assaulted
A local authority has been fined after two of its social workers were assaulted on a home visit by the mother of a vulnerable child. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 3 July 2015, two social workers employed by the London Borough of Brent visited the home of a vulnerable child to carry out a child safety plan assessment.
HSE news release. Risks 829. 9 December 2017
Global: Unions call for strong rules on violence at work
Trade unions have reiterated their call for a strong International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention to tackle gender-based violence at work. Next year’s ILO Conference in June will discuss the development of international labour standards on violence against women and men at work.
ITUC news release and portal on gender-based violence. ETUC news release and Safe at Home, Safe at Work project. Risks 828. 2 December 2017
Britain: Post-Weinstein firms need a 'respect at work' clause
Employers in film and TV production should introduce a ‘respect at work’ clause into all contracts to promote workplaces free from bullying and harassment, the union BECTU has said. The proposal is set out in a letter to several key industry bodies and highlights the problems freelancers face when they experience bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment.
BECTU news release and blog, It's not ok - and you don't have to put up with it. Risks 828. 2 December 2017
Britain: Body cameras not the answer to attacks on firefighters
The use of body cameras is not the right response to a sharp increase in attacks on firefighters, their union FBU has said. The union was commenting after new Home Office figures revealed an 18.6 per cent increase in attacks on firefighters.
FBU news release. Telegraph and Argus. Risks 828. 2 December 2017
Britain: Union protection needed against parliamentary bullying
A confidential Unite survey of members employed by MPs and Lords has revealed a ‘toxic’ working environment, with many staff suffering stress and bullying. The survey undertaken by Unite’s parliamentary and constituency branch found that almost a fifth (19 per cent) of respondents had suffered bullying by either their MP or a line manager.
Unite news release and petition calling for trade union recognition of parliamentary and constituency staff. Risks 828. 2 December 2017
USA: Unions challenge ‘rampant’ worker abuse
The headline-grabbing sexual harassment cases in politics, the media and entertainment are just a small indication of the ‘rampant’ abuse of workers, with low paid workers frequently the hidden victims. Chicago hotel workers this month celebrated a new ‘Hands Off Pants On’ ordinance it says will protect them from harassment.
Unite Here Local 1 news release. Slate. CBS Chicago News. ‘Hands Off Pants On’ ordinance.
Economic Hardship Reporting Project. In These Times 27 May 2011 article on the Dominique Strauss Kahn case. Risks 827. 25 November 2017
Britain: Shopworkers want legal protection from violence
Shopworkers are calling on the government to introduce an additional penalty for those who assault workers in the course of their duties. The union is also urging members to ‘report it to sort it’ after its survey found that 56 per cent of shopworkers who experienced violence, threats or abuse at work did not report the incident to their employer, and over a fifth (22 per cent) of those physically attacked did not report the assault.
Usdaw news release and related release. Risks 827. 25 November 2017
Canada: Unions welcome work harassment and violence law
Canada’s unions have welcomed a proposed law to address harassment and violence at work. The Canadian federal government said the ‘three pillars’ of the proposed legislation, which would cover federally-regulated staff, are prevention, responding to incidents and providing support to those affected.
CLC news release. Unifor news release. Canadian government news release. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Global: Workplace bullying and violence linked to diabetes
Workplace bullying and violence may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, for both men and women, according to new research published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The authors say: “As both bullying and violence or threats of violence are common in the workplace we suggest that prevention policies should be investigated as a possible means to reduce this risk.”
Tianwei Xu and others. Workplace bullying and violence as risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a multicohort study and meta-analysis, Diabetologia, pages 1–9, published online 13 November 2017. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: Violence against shopworkers is rising - Usdaw
New statistics have revealed a ‘shocking’ jump in incidents of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. Retail union Usdaw launched its interim survey findings to mark its annual Respect for Shopworkers Week.
Usdaw news release. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: Bus safety concerns ‘swept under the carpet’
Transport for London (TfL) has swept concerns about the health and welfare of bus drivers under the carpet, Unite has said. The union was commenting on the publication of TfL’s official response to a London Assembly report, ‘Driven to Distraction’.
Unite news release. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: ‘No confidence’ in parliament’s harassment working group
Unite’s parliamentary branch has expressed ‘deep concern’ over the lack of staff ‘voice’ in a working group proposed by the leader of the House of Commons to tackle harassment, bullying and abuses of power in parliament and the constituencies. Replying to a letter dated 9 November from MP Andrea Leadsom that outlined the process and composition of the working group, the branch warned that the make-up of group, comprising 10 parliamentarians and two staff representatives, would lead to staff having ‘no confidence’ in the group’s results.
Unite news release. Morning Star.
Unite petition calling for union recognition for parliamentary staff. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: Equity seeks solutions to sexual harassment crisis
Performers’ union Equity is launching an investigation into practical ways to combat sexual harassment and the fear of disclosure in the theatre, film, TV, audio and new media industries. The union, which has existing agreements with all the major employers in the industry, says it is uniquely placed to create meaningful change.
Equity news release. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: Stamp out abuse in the media industry
Journalists’ union NUJ has said it is crucial that the workplace cultures that allow predatory behaviour and sexual harassment to flourish are dismantled. Michelle Stanistreet, the union’s general secretary, said: “Such abuse of power needs to be stamped out.” In a statement, she added: “Newspaper and broadcasting organisations have a duty of care for their employees and people who work for them and it’s time they took that seriously.”
NUJ statement. Risks 826. 18 November 2017
Britain: Lone workers 'targeted’ as they leave Tube depot
A night Tube driver was attacked after returning his train to the depot sidings in the early hours after duty. Finn Brennan, district organiser for the rail union ASLEF, called for greater security at depots where trains are left overnight, saying the latest incident follows others on the Victoria line.
Evening Standard. Risks 825. 11 November 2017
Britain: Ambulance chiefs contest ‘lenient’ sentence on attacker
An ambulance service is challenging an ‘extremely lenient’ sentence given to a man who attacked two paramedics. Amy Holtom, a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), suffered a broken wrist while treating a man in Birmingham city centre.
WMAS news release. Birmingham Mail. Coventry Telegraph. Manchester Evening News. BBC News Online. Risks 825. 11 November 2017
Britain: Bus drivers face ‘shocking’ abuse, spitting and physical assaults
London’s bus drivers face shocking levels of abuse, spitting and physical assaults as they go about their job, a Unite survey has revealed. The union announced the survey findings as it launched a new London-wide campaign against assaults on the capital’s 25,000 bus drivers.
Unite news release. Morning Star. Risks 825. 11 November 2017
Britain: Emergency worker attacks Bill moves forward
A bill to double the maximum sentence for common assaults on on-duty emergency workers to one year has successfully started its progress through parliament. Labour MP Chris Bryant’s Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill received cross-party support during a 20 October debate, passing its second reading unopposed.
Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, House of Commons second reading, 20 October 2017. RCN news release. UNISON briefing on the Bill. Morning Star. Risks 823. 28 October 2017
Britain: Call for protection for bus drivers after firework attack
Unite has renewed its call for better protection of bus drivers after Youtube footage emerged of a driver being attacked with a firework. In the attack on a London bus, a group of youths fired a firework into the bus which hit the driver’s cab before ricocheting around the bus.
Unite news release and YouTube footage. Risks 823. 28 October 2017
Britain: Rise in attacks on public service staff is ‘tip of iceberg’
The Scottish government and all public service employers should take action immediately in order to tackle the “massive scale of the problem of violence against public sector workers”, UNISON Scotland has said. The call came as the public service union’s annual violence at work survey revealed a further increase in reported assaults on public service workers.
UNISON Scotland news release and Violence at work survey 2017. Risks 823. 28 October 2017
Britain: ‘Zero tolerance’ needed on verbal abuse in schools
Schools must take incidents of verbal abuse from pupils seriously and adopt a zero-tolerance attitude, a teaching union leader has said. Addressing the annual conference of NASUWT Cymru in Cardiff, Chris Keates said: “The NASUWT’s research into pupil behaviour shows that 61 per cent of teachers in Wales had experienced verbal abuse from a pupil in the previous 12 months.”
NAWUWT news release. Risks 823. 28 October 2017
Britain: Union links rise in shoplifting to police cuts
Shopworkers’ trade union leader John Hannett has questioned whether police cuts are having an effect on crime. He posed the question after latest figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed an 11 per cent increase in shoplifting, continuing an upward trend from 2012.
Usdaw news release. Risks 823. 28 October 2017
Britain: Tougher sentences for attacks on emergency staff
Attacks on emergency workers will result in tougher sentences under a new law that has been given government backing. Chris Bryant's private member's bill would double the maximum sentence for common assault against an emergency worker to a year.
Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill 2017-19. BBC News Online. Risks 822. 21 October 2017
Britain: Charity and voluntary workers facing violence
Almost half the staff (47 per cent) working for charities and housing associations have experienced violence or aggression, either from people who use their services or from colleagues, according to a UNISON survey In response to the abuse facing its members, UNISON has launched a charter that commits voluntary sector organisations to comply with their duty of care to staff when it comes to violence in the workplace.
UNISON news release. Risks 822. 21 October 2017
Britain: Usdaw welcomes cross-party bid to protect shopworkers
Shopworkers’ trade union leader John Hannett has welcomed an early day motion, with cross-party support, calling on the government to introduce legislation providing an additional penalty for those who assault workers in the course of their duties. The Usdaw general secretary said: “Usdaw members welcome the support of MPs for a change in the law to ensure that proper punishments are given out. We must give a clear message that assaulting workers who are serving the public is totally unacceptable.”
Usdaw news release, including case histories. Sign up for Usdaw’s Thunderclap during Respect for Shopworkers Week, 13-19 November 2017. Risks 822. 21 October 2017
Britai: Equity challenges casting couch culture
Allegations of sexual harassment and serious sexual assaults against film mogul Harvey Weinstein have exposed the unacceptable pressures women frequently face in the entertainment industry, UK actors’ union Equity has said. The union is promoting its recently launched Manifesto for Casting, “to inform the entertainment industry of the standards it demands of all those engaged in the casting and employment process.”
Equity news release. BBC News Online. Risks 822. 21 October 2017
Britain: Cuts put mental health staff in violence frontline
Reduced funding for mental health services across the UK is leaving staff vulnerable to violence and aggression from patients, and means they cannot provide the level of care needed, the union UNISON has said. The union’s report, ‘Struggling to cope’, found more than two in five (42 per cent) said they had been on the receiving end of violent attacks in the last year.
UNISON news release and Struggling to cope report. BBC News Online and 5 Live Investigates. The Observer. Risks 821. 14 October 2017
Britain: Fresh GMB push for Our Protectors Bill
The GMB has made a renewed call for a law to make assaults on emergency workers in the line of duty an aggravated offence. The union, which says there were assaults on 1,000 firefighters, 2,400 paramedics and over 2.4 million police officers last year, is urging MPs to support Chris Bryant’s Assault on Emergency Staff Bill.
GMB news release. Risks 820. 7 October 2017
Britain: Sexual harassment at work causes depression
Sexual harassment at work is bad for mental health, according to a new study. Researchers in Denmark found 1 per cent of more than 7,600 employees working for over 1,000 different organisations were sexually harassed by a supervisor, colleague or a subordinate, while 2.4 per cent suffered the same treatment from someone else they dealt with at work.
Maria K Friborg and others. Workplace sexual harassment and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional multilevel analysis comparing harassment from clients or customers to harassment from other employees amongst 7603 Danish employees from 1041 organizations, BMC Public Health, published online 25 September 2017. The Independent.
TUC guide to your rights on sexual harassment, union reps’ guide to addressing sexual harassment and report, Still just a bit of banter? Everyday Sexism Project and ‘shouting back’ platform. Risks 819. 30 September 2017
Britain: TUC poll finds racism is rampant at work
More than a third (37 per cent) of black or minority ethnic (BME) workers have been bullied, abused or singled out at work, according to research published by the TUC. The polling is part of a major new TUC report on racism at work.
TUC news release and ‘Is Racism Real?’ report. Face it: We are all sickened by inequality at work, ITUC/Hazards, March 2017. Risks 817. 16 September 2017
Britain: Cabin crew facing rise in abuse on UK flights
An airline industry code of conduct on disruptive passengers is failing to stem the tide of drunken and anti-social behaviour at UK airports and on flights from the UK, according to the union Unite. Its survey of over 4,000 cabin crew working for British-based airlines found that 87 per cent of respondents had witnessed drunken passenger behaviour at UK airports or on flights from UK airports.
Unite news release. BBC News Online and ‘Plane drunk’ Panorama documentary. Risks 813. 19 August 2017
Britain: Act now to end Scottish rail violence
The Scottish government must act now to improve security and staffing levels on some rail routes to help combat rising anti-social behaviour and criminality, the train drivers’ union aSLEF has said. The union has told Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf its members are ready to refuse to work on high risk services unless something is done.
ASLEF news release. The Scotsman. Risks 813. 19 August 2017
Britain: School staff routinely victims of attacks at work
Almost a third of school support staff have been injured in a violent attack at work and many report they are attacked on weekly basis, a survey by the union GMB has found. The union says the ‘disturbing statistics’ from its nationwide survey of members found almost one in five support staff (18 per cent) experience violence on a weekly basis, and nearly a third (30 per cent) have been injured in violent incidents at school.
GMB news release. Morning Star. Risks 803. 10 June 2017
Britain: Tube staff strike for victimised work violence victims
Tube workers at London Bridge station have taken industrial action in a further protest against the sacking of a member of staff and the disciplining of two others. The RMT members working for London Underground (LU) staged the 24-hour strike from 10pm on 7 May in response to LU’s blame-the-worker behaviour after an incident in which a fare-dodger was violent towards staff.
RMT news release. The Telegraph. Morning Star. Evening Standard. Risks 799. 13 May 2017
Britain: Union calls for security guards to protect store staff
Shopworkers’ union Usdaw is calling for higher levels of security in shops, particularly small convenience stores. The union call came after latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales revealed that shoplifting is continuing to rise, increasing by 8 per cent during 2016, contributing to a 21 per cent increase over the last decade.
Usdaw news release. Morning Star. Risks 799. 13 May 2017
Britain: Teachers abused online by parents and pupils
Nearly one-third of teachers report being abused online over the past 12 months, with half of those targeted saying parents, not just pupils, were behind the abuse. A UK-wide survey of over 1,500 teachers conducted by teaching union NASUWT found 31 per cent of teachers reported being abused online over the last year, of which 50 per cent said they had been abused by a parent, with one in five (20 per cent) of the messages posted by parents included explicit threats.
NASUWT news release. Risks 798. 6 May 2017
Britain: Union slams 'deplorable' attack on firefighters
The firefighters’ union FBU has condemned a violent attack on two on-duty firefighters who were threatened with an imitation firearm. The union said the ‘deplorable’ incident took place on 10 April in Spalding, as the firefighters tackled a house fire.
FBU news release. Risks 796. 22 April 2017
Britain: Union fury at Tube bosses for firing attack hero
Tube union RMT has reacted with fury after London Underground (LU) upheld the ‘disgraceful’ sacking of a staff member who intervened to stop a violent fare dodger from assaulting colleagues at London Bridge last autumn. RMT is already balloting station staff across the London Bridge group for industrial after the member was fired and two others were disciplined for stepping in to stop the serious assault on colleagues, including one who was pregnant.
RMT news release. Risks 793. 25 March 2017
Britain: Unions join forces to fight abuse at work
Collective bargaining from trade unions can play a key role in tackling violence against women, campaigners have said, but they add the government must also take action. Delegates at the TUC women’s conference heard how Britain has some of the highest levels of workplace violence against women in Europe.
Speech by TUC head Frances O’Grady to the TUC women’s conference. Morning Star. TUC guide to reporting workplace violence. Risks 792. 18 March 2017
Britain: Thefts from shops are serious crimes, says Usdaw
Retail union leader Usdaw has welcomed a clarification from Thames Valley Police, after a report in the Telegraph suggested the force “will not send out officers to deal with shoplifters who steal goods worth less than £100”. A statement from the police force noted: “The Force would like to reassure communities that all reports of shoplifting are investigated - regardless of the value of goods stolen. In cases in which there is an immediate threat, such as a shoplifter becoming violent, the public can be assured that officers will be there for who need help.”
Usdaw news release. Thames Valley Police statement. The Telegraph. Risks 792. 18 March 2017
Canada: Delays put armoured car workers and public at risk
A further delay in implementing a Canadian Ministry of Labour ruling is putting the safety of armoured car workers and the general public at risk, the union Unifor has said. “The directives in the original order recognised that the use of two-person, all off crews elevates the danger of armoured car personnel being attacked in public, which also increases the risk to innocent by-standers,” said Mike Armstrong, Unifor’s lead for the armoured car industry.
Unifor news release. Risks 791. 11 March 2017
Britain: Union charter to tackle violence at work
Workers in the community should not fear violence, the union UNISON has said. The union’s community service group conference agreed to launch a ‘Violence at Work Charter’ which would see employers commit themselves to “a series of interventions”.
UNISON news release. Risks 791. 11 March 2017
Britain: Banker fined a week's wages for spitting on bus driver
A bus driver who was spat on by an investment banker in a fit of road rage has spoken out after the £90-000-a-year Barclays executive was fined one week’s wages. The incident happened after father-of-three Leon Delahaye, 44, pulled out in front of Alexis Fountzoulas’ black Mini in London’s Piccadilly Circus on 26 June last year, a court heard.
London Evening Standard. Risks 789. 23 February 2017
Britain: Usdaw ‘appalled’ as attacks on shopworkers soar
The shopworkers’ union Usdaw has called for urgent preventive action after latest figures showed a sharp upturn in violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures reveal a 40 per cent increase in incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff.
BRC news release. Usdaw news release. Morning Star. Risks 787. 11 February 2017
Britain: 'Alarming' rise in attacks on school staff in Wales
Teachers and school staff in Wales have been the victims of more than 1,500 physical and verbal attacks by pupils every year, new figures have shown. Teaching union NUT Cymru had responses from 17 of Wales' 22 local authorities to freedom of information (FOI) requests.
NUT Cymru news release. BBC News Online. Risk 786. 4 February 2017
USA: Workers win move towards a violence standard
A union call for a new official rule to protect workers from violence is moving forward. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the USA’s federal safety regulator, told a stakeholder meeting it was accepting the petitions submitted by unions to the Department of Labor last year and would commence rule making on a workplace violence standard to protect workers in health care and social assistance.
AFL-CIO Now blog. OSHA workplace violence webpages. Risks 785. 28 January 2017
Britain: NHS staff should not have to work in fear
The sharp increase in the number of violent assaults against health service employees in England – up by over a fifth in the last five years – is completely unacceptable and requires urgent government action, public service union UNISON has said. Latest figures published by NHS Protect show that in 2015/16 there were 70,555 violent incidents involving health workers, compared to the 57,830 reported five years ago - a 22 per cent increase.
UNISON news release. NHS Protect statistics 2015/16. Risks 782. 7 January 2017
Global: Addressing occupational violence affecting women
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has published a report putting a ‘gender lens’ on the issue of violence prevention in the workplace. The report summary says it “reviews the international literature and a selection of regulatory instruments with respect to occupational violence - work-related violence involving incidents in which a person is physically, psychologically or sexually assaulted, threatened, harassed, bullied or mobbed in circumstances relating to their work.”
Addressing occupational violence: An overview of conceptual and policy considerations viewed through a gender lens, ILO, November 2016. Risks 779. 3 December 2016
Global: Ending violence against women at work
Unions are putting the issue of violence against women at work high on their safety agenda. IndustriALL assistant general secretary Jenny Holdcroft said: “More trade unions need to adopt strong policies against violence in the workplace, which can be used to educate all their members about what is and what is not acceptable treatment of women.”
IndustriALL news release. ITUC statement and campaign for an ILO Convention to stop gender-based violence at work. ITUC gender-based violence at work campaign webpage and campaign guide. Risks 779. 3 December 2016
Canada: Violence universal in health care
According to healthcare workers interviewed this year by a Canadian health care union, the health and well-being of the individuals devoted to caring for health seems to be increasingly at risk from angry, frustrated, or out of control patients. Researchers from the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU)/Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) note that every one of the 150 registered practical nurses (RPNs) from across Ontario attending a conference on violence this year reported that they have been assaulted at work.
The Bullet. Risks 776. 12 November 2016.
USA: California nurses win violence prevention standard
A set of trailblazing regulations to prevent workplace violence in California’s hospitals and health care facilities have gained unanimous approval from the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. The rules were issued under 2014 legislation backed by the union California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CAN/NNU).
CNA/NNU news release. Politico. Risks 774. 29 October 2016
Britain: Scotland’s public sector faces soaring violence
Violence against Scotland’s public service workers has doubled in a decade, union research has found. UNISON’s Violence at Work Survey 2016 shows recorded violent assaults have risen from 20,000 to over 40,000 per year over the last decade, the highest level since the annual survey began in 2006.
UNISON Scotland news release and Violence at Work Survey 2016. Risks 774. 29 October 2016
Britain: Tube strike ballot ‘inevitable’ over attacks on staff
Tube staff are set to vote on strike action after confirming an increase in attacks in the wake of the closure of ticket offices. Rail union TSSA is in a dispute with Transport for London (TfL) as a result of London Underground (LU) ticket office staff being relocated onto station concourses.
TSSA news release. London Evening Standard. Risks 773. 22 October 2016.
Global: Campaign against gender-based violence at work
Global trade union confederation ITUC is warning that gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. The union body is calling for a new global standard on prevention, noting: “Trade unions are taking action to end gender-based violence at work and are campaigning for a new international labour Convention to tackle the various forms of gender-based violence that occur in the world of work,” through the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
ITUC gender-based violence at work campaign webpage. Join the campaign! Risks 771. 8 October 2016
Britain: BBC audio exposes rail firm’s dangerous dirty tricks
Rail staff employed by Govia Thameslink are being abused and assaulted by enraged passengers as a result of the company’s ‘lies and abuse’ to cover up their own gross mismanagement of train services, the union RMT has said. As proof, the union points to a ‘shocking’ BBC audio recording of staff “being spat at, punched and threatened with stabbing due to a constant barrage of company lies about the reasons for the constant chaos across the franchise.”
RMT news release. Risks 762. 6 August 2016
Unions demand action on prison safety crisis
Prison unions are calling for urgent action over alarming new figures they say expose the true scale of the safety crisis in prisons in England and Wales. The unions say latest Ministry of Justice figures released show that prison staff are increasingly the victims of the safety and staffing crisis.
‘Safety in Custody’ report. POA news release. Community news release. Risks 762. 6 August 2016
Britain: Legal win will protect prison officers
Prisoners can now be prosecuted for attacks on prison workers, after a union-backed High Court case. In a landmark victory for the prison officers’ union POA, the court ruled last week that it is important to be able to prosecute prisoners for acts of violence committed against prison officers while serving time in prison, as a way of protecting prison officers and prisoners.
Thompsons Solicitors news release.
TUC violence at work guidance. Hit list: TUC violence and abuse reporting form, Hazards magazine. Risks 757. 2 July 2016
Britain: Usdaw calls for an end to post referendum abuse
The shopworkers’ trade union has expressed deep concern about reports of threats and abuse against migrant workers and people from minority ethnic groups has called for “calm and respect.” Usdaw general secretary John Hannett said: “It is deeply disturbing that some people have taken the vote to leave the EU as a green light to abuse others who they believe don’t have the right to be in the country,” adding: “Usdaw reps have for many years been providing support for members who face violence, threats and abuse and they will continue do so in this challenging period after the referendum.”
Usdaw news release. Risks 757. 2 July 2016
Britain: Teaching assistants face violence and threats routinely
Teaching assistants are routinely facing threats and violence from pupils and their parents, according to a new report from the union UNISON. School support staff blame shoddy disciplinary policies, staffing cuts and a lack of training for the abuse.
UNISON news release. UNISON guide: Managing Difficult Behaviour in Schools. Morning Star. Risks 756. 25 June 2016
Britain: Lone Ladbrokes staff face horrific risks
Betting firm Ladbrokes has been accused of putting “profits before lives” after one lone worker was killed and a second was raped, the Mirror has reported. Former head of health and safety Bill Bennett, who the paper says has turned whistleblower, alleged: “Ladbrokes chose to prioritise profit over the health and safety of its employees.”
The Mirror. Risks 753. 4 June 2016
Britain: Lone Ladbrokes staff face horrific risks
Betting firm Ladbrokes has been accused of putting “profits before lives” after one lone worker was killed and a second was raped, the Mirror has reported. Former head of health and safety Bill Bennett, who the paper says has turned whistleblower, alleged: “Ladbrokes chose to prioritise profit over the health and safety of its employees.”
The Mirror. Risks 752. 4 June 2016
Britain: Fearful prison officers refuse work at Wormwood Scrubs
Prison staff at Wormwood Scrubs jail staged a 6 May work refusal over health and safety concerns. The union POA said its members had “individually chosen” not to enter the prison “as they have fears for their health and safety.”
POA news release. TUC news release. The Guardian. Morning Star. Risks 750. 14 May 2016
Britain: UK prison system in crisis as violence soars
An alarming rise in violent incidents has sparked warnings the prison system is failing prisoners and staff. Figures released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have revealed that violence has increased in the past 12 months and, in some cases, is close to double the rates from 2010, with prisoner on staff assaults up from 3,640 in 2014 to 4,963 in 2015, an increase of 36 per cent.
Safety in Custody statistics, MoJ, 28 April 2016. POA news release. Howard League for Penal Reform news release. The Independent. Risks 749. 7 May 2016
Britain: Tackling prison fight cost worker her job
A former prison worker has been awarded £140,000 after a six-year legal battle with the prison service following an injury that ended her career. While working at a London young offender’s institute, the POA member had been restraining a prisoner after a fight had broken out.
Thompsons Solicitors news release. Risks 747. 23 April 2016
Britain: Have you experienced sexual harassment at work?
Recent TUC polling indicates that sexual harassment is still rife in many workplaces. As part of its project on sexual harassment in the workplace, the TUC would now like to hear about your experiences of sexual harassment. It has prepared a short online survey where you can describe your experience. The information you share will be treated in confidence and the survey can be completed anonymously.
TUC news alert. Take the survey now. Risks 747. 23 April 2016
Britain: Usdaw scoops top safety campaign award
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has won a top award from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust for its Freedom from Fear campaign, recognising the union’s achievements in improving personal safety. The Trust’s National Personal Safety Awards recognise the work being done across the UK to keep people safe from violence and aggression and highlight best practice in the field.
Usdaw news release. Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Risks 745. 9 April 2016
Ireland: Death threats against journalists condemned
The Irish prime minister Enda Kenny and the media union NUJ have condemned the threats made against a number of journalists in the Republic of Ireland. The threats follow two killings in a gangland feud in Dublin.
BBC News Online. Risks 739. 20 February 2016.
Britain: Higher fines should spur safety improvements
New sentencing guidelines recommending much higher fines on firms that break health and safety laws should increase the pressure on unsafe employers ‘to clean up their act’, the TUC has said. TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said to make the system work better, there should also be more resources for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to cover the costs of bringing more cases to court.
TUC Stronger Unions blog. Risks 739. 20 February 2016.
Britain: ‘No excuse’ for widespread violence at work
One in eight people has experienced violence at work, according to new research published by the TUC. The poll over of over 1,600 adults carried out by YouGov for the union body, which has launched a new guide, reveals that 12 per cent of people have experienced work-related violence such as being pushed or spat on, punched or stabbed.
TUC news release, violence at work guidance and reporting form. Morning Star.
Hit list: TUC violence and abuse reporting form, Hazards magazine. Risks 738. 13 February 2016.
Britain: Unions back TUC violence action call
Unions representing health and retail workers have backed a TUC call for action to stem the widespread violence directed at workers. UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said the figures confirmed “the level of violence against medical and health care workers is unacceptably high” and John Hannett, general secretary of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw, said: “All too often criminals who assault staff are not even sent to court, and those who are can receive derisory sentences.”
UNISON news release. Usdaw news release. Risks 738. 13 February 2016.
Global: Unilever and unions in harassment agreement
Global soaps-to-snacks manufacturer Unilever has joined IndustriALL and IUF, the international trade unions representing the company’s union workforce, in a joint commitment to prevent sexual harassment in its workplaces worldwide.
IUF and IndustriALL news releases and joint statement. Risks 737. 6 February 2016
Britain: Action call after sharp rise in retail violence
Retail union Usdaw has called for action to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers after the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported a sharp rise in incidents during 2015. Trade body BRC found offences involving abuse or violence against shopworkers were up by 28 per cent.
Usdaw news release. Risks 737. 6 February 2016
Britain: Education staff under attack at work
Forty-three per cent of education staff have had to deal with physical violence from a pupil in the last year, according to a survey by the teaching union ATL. The union says of those who have experienced physical violence from a pupil: 77 per cent reported they had been pushed or shoved; 52 per cent had been kicked; 50 per cent had an object such as furniture thrown at them; and 37 per cent had been punched.
ATL news release. Risks 737. 6 February 2016
Britain: Massive increase in railway race hate crimes
Race hate crimes on Britain’s railway networks have risen by 37 per cent in the past five years, an average of more than five reported incidents of abuse or harassment a day. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “These are truly shocking figures and match up with the reports that RMT members are feeding back to the union from the sharp end..”
RMT news release. The Guardian. Risks 737. 6 February 2016
Violence and
harassment
Violence and sexual harassment are major problems in many workplaces. Employers should take measures to protect staff. Hazards provides advice on the problems and solutions.
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