San Mateo, CA — More than 1 out of 3 retail workers say they feel unsafe on the job, and more than half are likely to quit because of this, according to the results of a recent survey.
On behalf of the Loss Prevention Research Council and building security and management firm Verkada, Harris Poll researchers conducted an online survey of 1,000 retail workers from across the United States. They found that 35% of respondents reported feeling unsafe at work, while 52% indicated they’re likely to leave their job in the next year over concerns about personal safety.
Additionally, 22% of the workers said they’ve experienced or witnessed a physical assault, while 26% indicated they’ve experienced or seen aggressive behavior or threats from a co-worker.
Other findings:
- Among generations, millennials (24%) and those in Gen Z (16%) were the most likely to experience physical assault.
- Male workers (30%) were more likely to experience or witness a physical assault than female workers (12%).
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, but our research shows that more than 1 in 3 retail workers has felt the opposite,” Alana O’Grady Lauk, vice president of public affairs at Verkada, said in a press release.
She added: “This data gives retailers a clear roadmap to protect their teams when it matters most – and the urgency to act on it now.”
