Yahoo Finance Sexually harassed retail workers forced to swap name badges
Retail workers have been forced to swap name badges or wear fake ones to avoid daily sexual harassment.
A new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission showed 46 per cent of female workers in the retail, fast food and warehousing sectors had been sexually harassed.
In addition, 29 per cent of males suffered the same fate.
More than one-third (36 per cent) of the harassment came from a customer.
Some respondents to the survey – commissioned by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) – cited name badges as an invitation for unwanted attention.
"Wearing a badge with our name on it makes customers and sexual predators feel comfortable enough to harass us under the guise of friendliness," said one anonymous respondent.
"It also allows them to think that because they know your name they are entitled to other personal information about you – and to touch you."
The same worker said that knowing the name also made it easy for harassers to look up personal details online to stalk staff on social media or even at their homes.
Another woman said she flat out refuses to wear a name badge after a particularly bad incident.
"I was followed for 300 metres in my shopping centre outside of work on my day off by a ‘regular’ who has been sexually inappropriate with myself and team member for years."
The male customer was not banned by her employer, according to the worker, because of the amount of money he spends at the store. A request for a security guard was also refused.
“I was told ‘if we don’t even have money for wages, we’re not [going to] have wages for a security guard’,” she said.
“It’s quite heartbreaking to constantly be reminded that the customer and the customers money is valued more than your safety and general well-being.”
SDA national assistant secretary Julia Fox said sexual harassment in the retail, fast food and warehousing industries is now at a critical level.
"It’s appalling to find that young female workers, including minors, are more likely to experience sexual harassment in their workplaces than not."
Both Fox and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins called on employers to take action to eliminate the harassment.
"I also encourage other industries, employers and employee organisations to reflect on the discussion in this report and consider how they too can learn, collaborate and take further steps to ensure that all workplaces are free from sexual harassment," said Jenkins.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, property and tech news.
