The Minns Labor Government is reminding consumers to behave respectfully, as new figures reveal more than 100 people have been charged under tough laws to help protect retail workers.
The reminder to all customers that 'violence and aggression against the retail workforce is never okay' follows the Minns Labor government implementing the Crimes Legislation Amendment in June 2023.
Since its implementation, 136 individuals have been charged with offences under the act with 64 individuals convicted of an offence and 25 individuals receiving a custodial imprisonment sentence.
The new laws make it an offence to:
- assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment.
- assault a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of six years' imprisonment.
- wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years' imprisonment.
Workplace violence has significant impacts on a person's physical and psychological health, and includes any incident where a person is abused, threatened or assaulted at work, including physical assault, sexual assault, harassment or aggressive behaviour.
The Retail trade sector is the second largest employment industry in NSW, representing nine percent of the total workforce or almost one in 10 workers.
Anyone can anonmously report an incident of violence in the workplace by calling SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/speak-up-app
