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Seven out of ten stores do not have a safe cash handling system. Four out of ten stores do not provide security training to the staff. Two out of ten employees work alone.



These are just some of the findings from the survey conducted by Handels, which provides a dire illustration of the need to push the topic of safe working conditions to the top of the agenda, whether as part of any collective bargaining or as a part of labour market legislation in any country.

To UNI Commerce, one of the most disturbing parts of the survey's findings is the part which shows, that among employers this issue is still being neglected causing workers not to be be trained sufficiently. Since training programs have been developed by Handels in cooperation with Swedish police there is little excuse for the employer's lack of action on this point as the remedy already exists and is easily available. The same must be observed when it comes to cash handling, where safe cash registers have been developed and are ready to be put into use, but a in vast majority of shops the safe cash registers have not been installed.



It is difficult to understand why any employer still believes that this issue needs not to be taken seriously, ignoring the employer's responsibility to make the working place as safe as possible including protection from robberies. Leaving aside whatever obligations employers may have under Swedish legislation, the European Social Partners agreed in 2007 on a European Framework Agreement on harassment at work, in fact obligation any employer to make the work place as safe as possible, but also UNI Commerce Europe has been working and is working seriously with this issue, resulting in, among other things, a toolkit which gives guidance to workers and store managers on how to improve the safety in the shops. The toolkit was developed in cooperation with the employers' association Eurocommerce and is free to be used by anybody. The toolkit "Stop It!" is attached for easy reference.





Below is a translation of an article from the Swedish daily newspaper called "Svenska Dagbladet", detailing more of the findings from the survey.







Unacceptable risks for shop workers

Published: 25 November 2010, 06.49 in SVD one of Sweden’s daily newspapers

Seven out of ten stores do not have a closed cash handling system. Four out of ten stores do not provide security training to the staff. Two out of ten employees work alone. This is the result of a security survey about shop robbery that UNI´s Swedish affiliate Swedish Handels presented today.

Robbery, threats and violence is a serious health and safety problem for shop workers in Sweden. Each day approximately three store robberies takes place in Sweden. Many trade union members experience shop work, especially at nights in smaller shops unpleasant, and many are worried about becoming victims of robbery, threats and violence at their workplaces. It is not acceptable for people to fear or worry at their workplaces, and therefore it is of the utmost importance that employers, trade unions and politicians do everything in their power to minimise the risk of shop robbery.

To get a picture of what measures employers can take to prevent robbery, threats and violence and improve the working environment, Handels has carried out a survey and received responses from 2481 shops around the country. Shop workers, safety representatives and shop owners have answered questions about safety at work.

The result is alarming. Seven out of ten stores stated that they do not have closed cash handling systems. In retail, we can see that five of ten shops do not have a closed cash system. Such systems mean that money is not visible and cannot be made available by shop staff during a robbery attempt.

Four out of ten shops responded that shop workers do not receive regular safety training. Safety training increases security and safety levels. Each shop employee, regardless of how many hours they are working should undergo security training, so that people know how to react before, during and after a robbery. Training for employees is the employer's responsibility under the OSH Act.

Two out of 10 shops responded that there are no measures to avoid single manned work. We know that single manning involves an increased robbery risk. The National Council for crime prevention (BRÅ) studied shop robberies in 2000 and concluded that an absolute majority of robberies directed against shops happen in shops with single manning. One manning work is especially common in evenings because there are fewer customers. Seven per cent of the shops indicated that they allow minors to work at the cash counter.

Handels has in collaboration with among others the employer association and the Police, developed a security program that we call the 13-point programme on "protection against robbery in shops". It will form the basis for security work in shops. Among other things, there should be a security officer in each store and all employees should be given sector adapted training. For storage of cash and valuable documents and cash handling/counting there should be safety deposit boxes and alarm facilities. Also procedures for security work and readiness to take care of victims of robbery.

On the question if the shop is certified according to the 13-point program, six of ten said that their shop is not certified. In daily retail, three out of ten claim to be certified, while two out of ten in specialised trade.

It is time that shops and employers take responsibility and do everything in their power to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to robbery. By organising work better, using closed cash handling systems, training the staff in security matters and go through the 13-point programme they will be able to offer a better and safer work environment. We are also pressing the issue of legislation on cash handling systems, but has not yet been heard by politicians.

In short: we cannot wait until workers have to pay with their lives at the workplace, and therefore we demand that the employer and politicians take their responsibility to prevent robbery and violence on a daily basis in shops. We demand that the Government places the issue of safety in shops high on the agenda. We are now waiting for the response from the Government on legislation and from the employer on concrete measures for a safer working environment.



http://www.svd.se/opinion/brannpunkt/riskerna-for-butiksanstallda-oacceptabla_5728973.svd





For more information visit Handels website: www.handels.se