WorkSafe authorities urge workers and employers to stay safe during the holiday season

Don’t be a grinch to retail and hospitality workers this season

WorkSafe ACT has launched a campaign to remind customers to be respectful and courteous to retail and hospitality workers, who often face abuse, aggression and violence from unhappy or impatient shoppers. The campaign, titled “Don’t be a grinch”, features posters and social media messages that highlight the impact of rude and abusive behaviour on workers’ mental health and wellbeing.

Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius said that workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace, and customers have a responsibility to treat them with dignity and respect. She also encouraged workers to report any incidents of abuse or violence to their managers or WorkSafe ACT.

“This time of year can be a very busy and stressful period for a lot of Canberrans. Unfortunately, there is an increase in violent and abusive behaviour towards retail and hospitality workers during this time. I want to remind everyone to be kind, patient and respectful when out shopping or enjoying events this summer. There is never an excuse for violent or abusive behaviour towards anyone.”

'Tis the season to slow down and stay safe amid rush

WorkSafe Victoria has urged workers and employers to slow down and stay safe as they rush to finish projects and tasks before the end of the year. The regulator warned that the last month of the year is often the most dangerous - from 2018 to 2022, a total of 57 people lost their lives and 19,570 injury claims were accepted by WorkSafe in the final two months of the year. Tragically, another eight people have died in workplace incidents since the start of November this year.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen said that workers and employers should not compromise on safety to meet deadlines or complete orders. She also advised them to plan ahead, communicate clearly, and take regular breaks to prevent fatigue and stress.

"It's far better to safely secure a construction site over the holiday period than it is to rush a job – and potentially risk lives – to meet a deadline."

Holiday rostering reminder

Retail employers are being reminded that staff must voluntarily agree to work on a public holiday before being rostered on.

Section 13B of the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 states that a shopkeeper can only open a shop on a Sunday or public holiday if each employee has voluntarily accepted an offer by the employer to work on that day. This provision only applies to a public holiday that a shop is permitted to trade.

The maximum penalty for a breach of section 13B is $100,000.

Visit SafeWork SA’s Christmas trading page for a full rundown of this season’s festive trading hours.

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Sources

Don't be a Grinch to retail and hospitality workers this season by WorkSafe ACT, 20th December, 2023.

'Tis the season to slow down and stay safe amid the rush by WorkSafe VIC, 13th December, 2023.

Holiday rostering reminder by SafeWork SA, 15th December, 2023.

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