It never hurts to be nice, but you may want to be extra nice the next time you go shopping, as a recent survey found that 80% of retail workers are “scared every day” when they clock in for work.
The report comes from the 2024 Retail Worker Safety Survey, which found that 72% of respondents couldn’t respond to a threat at their store because they were understaffed.
The survey looked to examine the mindsets of retail workers and how they view their safety at work.
When it comes to dealing with difficult situations, 62% said they felt ill-equipped to deal with them, while 51% said their store’s technology is only moderately or slightly effective.
Chris Todd, the CEO at Theatro, which conducted the survey, shared in a statement gauging the feelings of retail workers was important given how essential they are to the industry.
But with the recent trends of theft and smash and grabs continuing to rise in major cities across the country, Todd says that retail workers are in a worse spot than ever.
“This survey exposes the dangers these frontline employees face daily, as they work tirelessly to keep our stores safe and secure, and outlines a clear path for what the industry must do to respond,” Todd said.
According to the survey, 37% of respondents said there is a need for discrete emergency alert systems in their stores. Another 31% said they wanted communication devices with established code words for emergencies.
With retail workers continuing to see conditions worsen instead of getting better, the pollsters found that 73% have considered leaving their jobs, and 64% have thought about taking legal action against their employer over a store crime incident.
“Ensuring employees feel safe, valued, and protected is not just a moral obligation; it’s a business imperative that drives customer satisfaction and loyalty,” Todd said. “Now is the time for retailers to prioritize training, communicate proactively, and audit communication solutions and processes, knowing that an investment in worker safety is an investment in the organization’s long-term success.”
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The survey included responses from 600 in-store retail workers in 15 metropolitan areas across the country.
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