Have any questions? Call us: Carter Capner Law monitors workplace accidents throughout Australia to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for workers and contractors throughout Australia. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law.
Introduction
Newly released video footage has laid bare the daily violence retail workers face at the hands of customers across Australia. From punches and kicks to knife threats and armed hold-ups, the shocking incidents highlight the escalating risks to staff and the urgent calls for legislative reform.
Violence on the Shop Floor
The footage, released by Woolworths, captures disturbing assaults on frontline staff. Retailers say the goal is to shock political leaders into action as violent incidents in stores nearly double over the past three years.
Lincoln Wymer of Master Grocers Australia described the crisis:
“I’ve had one of my stores held up, five people swarmed the store looking for cash. Our team is fearful to come to work.”
According to the National Retailers Association, more than **800,000 incidents** of violence were recorded in 2024 alone.
Union and Industry Response
The SDA Union reports violent incidents against retail workers have almost doubled in three years. National Secretary Gerard Dwyer welcomed higher penalties introduced in NSW, South Australia, and Western Australia but urged governments to go further by:
- Introducing workplace protection orders for known offenders.
- Expanding the use of facial recognition technology to track repeat offenders.
“Workplace protection orders have been shown to be effective in the ACT, with a dramatic drop in repeat offenders,” Dwyer said.
Woolworths also reported a sharp rise in staff opting to wear body-worn cameras as protection.
Government Position
NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis condemned the abuse, especially towards young employees in their first jobs:
“To be abused, stalked, intimidated—it is absolutely disgraceful.”
While penalties have been increased, retailers argue that the absence of stronger restrictions leaves workers vulnerable to repeat offenders returning to stores.
Conclusion
With violent assaults on retail workers soaring, staff and unions are demanding stronger protections—both in legislation and in-store. As Woolworths’ footage circulates and frontline staff speak out, the issue is rapidly moving up the policy agenda. For many workers, the question is simple: how long before adequate measures are in place to ensure their safety at work?