John McNamara, GB Australia CEO, recently signed the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), National Retail Association & Australian Retailers Association industry statement to eradicate abusive and violent customer behaviour in the retail and fast food industries.

In an industry first, retail and fast food employers, peak retailer groups, shopping centres, regulators, government and unions are joining forces to eradicate customer abuse and violence as well as agreeing to encourage the reporting of all forms of customer perpetrated abuse and violence towards workers.

GB is proud to join retailers around Australia in signing the Statement, taking a stance to eradicate abusive behaviour.

According to the SDA, over 85% of retail staff have experienced verbal abuse from a customer, 15% have experienced physical customer violence, and 11% sexual harassment or abuse in the last year.

John McNamara, GB Australia CEO, was pleased to have signed the Industry Statement,

“We’re proud to have signed the Retail and Fast Food Industry Statement on Abusive and Violent Customer Behaviour.”

“This is an important step to address the customer abuse epidemic in Australia.”

Currently signed by 36 organisations, the Industry Statement outlines our collective commitment to forging a retail and fast food industry free from abuse and violence, to help create vibrant, healthy and safe workplaces for workers and customers across Australia.