Retail Workers Feel Unprepared for Workplace Violence Despite Training, Survey Finds
Federal and state policies aim to improve retail worker safety amid increased reports of workplace violence.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Nov 18, 2024
A new survey reports that 38 percent of Gen Z retail workers witnessed workplace violence against a coworker within the past five years, compared to 13 percent of Baby Boomers, 20 percent of Gen X, and 22 percent of millennial workers.
Coming from compliance training provider Traliant, the survey was conducted among more than 500 retail workers employed at organizations with 100 or more employees. And the data showed that a significant portion of these employees lacks confidence in their ability to handle violent situations. The findings come as workplace violence continues to be an issue affecting approximately two million U.S. employees annually.
“The retail industry is a challenging space as employees are at higher risk for workplace violence and employers have a growing list of requirements to contend with when it comes to keeping their workers safe,” Traliant’s Chief Strategy Officer Michael Johnson said in a statement. “Our study identifies critical areas where retailers need to understand generational differences in the workforce so they can enhance workplace violence prevention programs and create safer work environments.”
Despite training initiatives in states like New York and California, Traliant’s survey suggests that many retail employees remain reluctant to report violent incidents without anonymity. Forty-nine percent of Gen Z retail workers said they would only report violence if they could do so anonymously, in contrast to 19 percent of Baby Boomers.
Meanwhile, Gen Z had the highest rate of completed training at 86 percent but the lowest confidence in de-escalating violent incidents. Almost all retail workers (94 percent) agree that other states should adopt policies similar to New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act, a testament to the growing desire for regulation among workers.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.