Retailers across Canada say their employees are facing more violence from customers than ever before.
Jim Cormier, Atlantic director with the Retail Council of Canada, says there’s been a jump in violence against workers right across the country since the pandemic.
He says the incidents go beyond a snide remark from a disgruntled customer.
He says retail workers have been spat on, verbally abused and assaulted by customers.
“The level of threats that we’ve been experiencing amongst our retail workers really makes it untenable.”
Cormier says the increased popularity of online buy and sell platforms has only made matters worse.
“We’ve been challenged by a spike in what we call organized retail crime,” said Cormier. Groups will target certain stores and products in a brazen manner. He says those stolen goods are then sold on the online marketplace within minutes of leaving the store.
Cormier says every store has their own safety protocols in place, but he encourages retailers to work with law enforcement and government on ways to improve safety for workers.