Scottish shop worker protection law takes effect

New Scottish law to protect shop workers – making verbal or physical attacks against anyone working in a retail store in Scotland a specific offence – came into force today (24 August).

The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021, proposed by Edinburgh Southern MSP Daniel Johnson (Labour) and supported by the Scottish Government, also provides further legal protections when the worker is carrying out their statutory duties such as age restricted sales and allows for tougher sentences for offenders.

Johnson said he is now committed to ensuring enforcement of the act, which he termed as a victory for retail.

“My Protection of Workers Act coming into law on the 24th of August is a victory for retail, its staff and customers. For too long retail workers have not been given the same protections as those in every other sector and the cases of abuse and assault just kept increasing throughout the covid pandemic,” he said in a message to the Don’t Put Up With It campaign, which encourages retailers to report all offences against them.

“I aim to continue the fight to ensure my Bill is properly enforced and would like to take the opportunity to thank the SGF in all its helpful engagement with me from the very beginning of this process and I look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.”

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) said the bill owes it to the “hard work and commitment” of Johnson, adding that they are “grateful for the Scottish Government’s support in bringing this significant new law into power, which sees the country lead the way in the legal safeguards it provides for retail workers.”

Passing a members bill is not quick or easy.

Thank you to @UsdawUnion @CoopParty @ScotGrocersFed @the_brc @GMBScotOrg @UniteScotland @Scotmid @coopuk and many others for their support and help.

Today the law changes thanks to all those collective efforts.

— Daniel Johnson MSP (@djohnsonmsp) August 24, 2021

Keith Brown, Scottish cabinet secretary for justice and veterans, said the law will make the general public think more about their behaviour while interacting with retail workers in the future.

“Although existing laws criminalise the verbal and physical abuse of retail workers and provide our courts with the discretion to impose robust maximum penalties, the Scottish Government understood and accepted that, for many, they have not felt safe or protected, even with the existing law in place,” he said.

While welcoming the enactment of the Scottish law, Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, reiterated his demand for the Westminster to replicate the measure.

“Today a new protection of shop workers law comes into force in Scotland, but we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has continued to resist a similar measure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Retail staff across the UK have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law,” he said.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members. They are deeply concerned that the current high levels of abuse will become the norm, unless the government takes urgent and meaningful action. Shop workers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. The government has promised to bring forward an amendment to their flagship policing bill in the House of Lords and we urge them to keep their word.”