With the Easter weekend fast approaching the union representing retail and fast food workers, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, has called on Australians to remain calm when shopping and treat retail workers with respect.

“In the days leading up to the Easter long weekend, the sad reality is retail and fast food workers experience an increase in customer above,” SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said.

“We know that shopping centres can get very busy and pressure can build as people prepare for the long weekend, but it’s no excuse to take out those frustrations on workers.

“If anything, you could take a moment to say thank you and wish them a nice day.”

According to the SDA, a 2020 survey of over 2,000 retail workers found that 90 per cent had been subject to verbal abuse on the job, and a quarter had experienced it on a weekly basis. And, during a pre-holiday shopping rush, it’s likely to get worse.

“Retail workers are often sacrificing important family time to keep the country moving at times like Easter, and they don’t deserve to be yelled at or suffer any kind of abuse,” Dwyer said.