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Usdaw says
new report highlights 'epidemic' of violence in Britain's
shops
RETAIL union Usdaw says a new
report showing thousands of workplace injuries are caused by
physical assaults highlights a worrying epidemic of violence in
stores across the UK.
The report by AXA Insurance found that a staggering eight per cent
of all workplace injuries are caused by workers being attacked by
customers or colleagues.
"This report is very welcome as it highlights the grim reality that
over 20,000 shopworkers are physically assaulted in their workplaces
every year.
This epidemic of violence is aimed at our members who are only doing
their jobs and results in many of them leaving the retail sector
because they are so traumatised.
Our members tell us violence in stores is on the increase which is
why we launched our groundbreaking Freedom From Fear campaign
working with retailers to tackle this problem store by store across
the UK.
Although the figures are bad just think how terrible it would be if
shopworkers didn't have the courage to say no to violence in their
workplaces and if most retailers weren't committed to making their
stores zero tolerance zones for abuse.
Our members also have to endure disgusting verbal abuse which is up
35% and we are working hard to remind consumers that they have a
responsibility to treat hard working shop staff with respect.
Thousands of workers across the UK live in fear of violence so this
report will highlight to the shopping public the unacceptable extent
of violence in shops and that tough measures like ASBO's banning
abusive customers from stores will be used to protect our members."
Usdaw general secretary John Hannett told us.
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WIRRAL FUNDING BOOST
REMPLOY has been awarded almost
£165,000 from the European Social Fund to deliver job preparation
contracts to people receiving incapacity benefit in the Wirral area.
The money will enable Remploy to provide vocational training and job
search support to local people who are receiving incapacity benefit
and are currently at the furthest distance from the labour market.
The contracts will support 200 people with disabilities and health
conditions over a two year period between May 2006 and March 2008.
While some will continue with further education or training before
starting work, it is estimated that around 100 people will be
supported directly into jobs in the area.
There are currently almost 20,000 people receiving incapacity
benefit in the Wirral area. The Remploy initiative will encompass
Leasowe, Egremont, Birkenhead, Seacome and Poulton, Lairdside,
Wirral South, Prenton, Noctorum, Woodchurch, Beechwood and Balantyne,
North Moreton and Sandbrook.
“We are currently developing the job preparation scheme and are
working closely with Jobcentre Plus, local employers and
community organisations to ensure they are exactly geared to local
requirements.
We have an excellent opportunity here to help change the lives
of many local incapacity benefit recipients. Remploy’s experience
clearly shows that attending training and subsequently starting or
returning to work brings both social and economic benefits to our
candidates.” explains Remploy’s Market Development Manager,
Lee Grocott.
Remploy is the UK’s leading provider of jobs for people with health
conditions and disabilities and was awarded the funding on the
strength of its proven success in delivering training and
recruitment initiatives elsewhere in the UK.
The Wirral job preparation contracts will cover key skills training
such as confidence building, communication skills and interview
techniques in addition to vocational skills training aimed at
retail, contact centre, catering and cleaning, and warehousing and
logistics vacancies in the area.
They will provide jobseekers with the skills they need to gain work
and sustain a job, with the opportunity to develop a career. Where
appropriate, this may involve achieving qualifications, such as fork
truck driving or food hygiene certificates.
Local employers already committed to the initiative include Wirral
Borough Council, NHS hospitals Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge, Tesco
Bidston Moss, Asda Arrowe Park/Liscard and Bromborough, Wirral
Metropolitan College, B&Q Wallasey and Safeway West Kirby. Their
involvement will range from providing site visits and work trials to
detailing their recruitment processes and guaranteeing interviews
for Remploy candidates.
Anyone with a health condition or disability interested in
registering for the Wirral job preparation scheme should contact
0845 845 2211 or visit
realjobs4realpeople.co.uk .
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