Tasmania to ban violent shoppers from stores for a year
Tasmania plans laws allowing workplace bans of up to one year for customers who assault, threaten, or harass workers.
Retail workers in Tasmania face daily threats and violence. Katrina Barr has worked at Big W for 24 years and describes knives being pulled, workers being spat at, colleagues being punched, hit with scooters, and followed to their cars.
A union survey found half of retail workers felt unsafe. The survey showed 89% reported verbal abuse, 28% experienced physical violence, and 15% considered quitting.
Tasmania's government plans new laws allowing workplace bans lasting up to one year for anyone who assaults, threatens, harasses, or damages property. Employers and unions can apply for orders on behalf of workers.
Breaching an order carries penalties of one year in prison for a first offence and up to three years for repeat offences.
- 89 per cent of surveyed workers
- Verbal abuse rate
- 28 per cent of surveyed workers
- Physical violence rate
- 15 per cent due to stress and anxiety
- Workers considering quitting
- Up to one year
- Ban duration
Why it mattersIt protects workers' safety and lets employers remove repeat violent customers, reducing workplace injury and staff turnover.
AustraliaThis is Tasmania-specific, but retail violence is a national problem, making this a potential model for other Australian states.
Corroborated byThe Advocate
