When Domestic Violence Spills Into Retail Workplaces
The Overlooked Link Between Domestic Abuse and Retail Violence

By the D&D Daily staff

1. Shared Perpetrator Profiles

Studies show that individuals who commit acts of domestic violence often exhibit aggressive behaviors in other settings, including the workplace. Retail environments, where employees and customers frequently interact, can become another outlet for this aggression. This connection is particularly evident in cases where abusive partners stalk or confront their victims at work.

2. Intimate Partner Violence Spilling into the Workplace

Retail workers experiencing domestic abuse may face harassment at their workplace. Abusive partners sometimes show up uninvited, make threatening calls, or even engage in physical violence at the store. Retail environments, being public and accessible, are common places for such confrontations.

3. Workplace Stress and Escalation

Perpetrators of domestic violence often struggle with impulse control and anger management, which can manifest in workplace violence. Stressful retail conditions-like long hours, difficult customers, and low pay-can exacerbate aggressive tendencies, increasing the likelihood of violent incidents.

4. Impact on Victims and Workplace Safety

Retail workers facing domestic violence may be more vulnerable to harassment or assault while on the job. This not only endangers the victim but also creates a safety risk for coworkers and customers. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), domestic violence is a significant contributor to workplace violence, especially in customer-facing industries like retail.

5. Prevention and Employer Role

Recognizing the connection between domestic and retail violence, many retailers are adopting workplace safety programs. These include domestic violence training, emergency response protocols, and support systems for employees experiencing abuse.

In essence, domestic violence doesn't exist in isolation-it often extends into workplaces, particularly in retail settings where accessibility and public interaction make incidents more likely. Addressing domestic violence can thus play a crucial role in improving overall workplace safety.


AGs Leading the Effort to Fight ORC
South Carolina attorney general leads charge against organized retail crime
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is spearheading a bipartisan effort alongside 37 other states and territories, urging Congress to tackle the escalating issue of organized retail crime nationwide.

"Organized retail crime is not only resulting in higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, but these thugs are physically assaulting employees," Wilson said. "Stores have been forced to close because money is walking out the door and businesses are concerned about the safety and security of their patrons and employees."

The financial toll of organized retail crime has surpassed $121 billion in the U.S., with 76 percent of retail asset protection managers reporting incidents of violence against employees by organized retail criminals. Cargo theft remains a significant aspect of this crime wave, disrupting supply chains and contributing to inflationary pressures on goods ranging from baby formula to clothing.

During the 118th Congress, the House and Senate introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 and the Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023. This legislation aimed to equip state and federal authorities with the resources needed to combat this pervasive issue. The coalition is now urging the 119th Congress to reintroduce the bill, advocating for increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to deter organized theft of goods in transit.

Several attorneys general have already established task forces and prosecution units to address this growing problem. The coalition's letter highlights that the proposed legislation would enhance and align state and federal efforts by creating an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center at the Department of Homeland Security, facilitating essential information sharing to tackle the complex cross-border nature of organized retail crime. abcnews4.com


New Shoplifting Bill in the UK
Bill clamping down on retail crime goes before parliament
Labour's promised Crime and Policing Bill, which includes tougher laws on retail crime, will be put before parliament on Tuesday (25 February). The bill, which will mostly apply in England and Wales, contains over 50 measures including stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and making it a new offence to assault a shop worker.

It also contains new "Respect Orders”, which are reminiscent of the Anti-social Behaviour Orders introduced by the last Labour government before it was abolished in 2014. The current laws deprioritise shoplifting theft under £200 and make it a summary only offence, meaning it can only be heard in magistrates court.

The British Retail Consortium warned at the end of last month that retail crime is "spiralling out of control" despite more being spent on prevention than ever before.

The trade body's annual crime survey reported that violent and abusive incidents were up more than 50% last year, while retailers were reporting 55,000 thefts a day costing them £2.2bn last year.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.”
 
“The level of violence and crime our colleagues regularly face is unacceptable, and we hope these new powers for police will go some way in addressing that.”  retailgazette.co.uk

   RELATED: Bill with tougher measures for retail crime reaches parliament


Retailers & Members of the Public Given Ability to Detain Shoplifters
New Zealand: Citizen's arrest powers to be expanded amid rise in retail theft

Retailers and the public will have more power to detain shoplifters under new citizen's arrest laws.

Retailers and members of the public will soon have more ability to detain shoplifters and thieves under beefed-up citizen's arrest powers, the Herald understands. The Government is today expected to announce a range of measures aimed at curbing rising retail theft, which have been proposed by its ministerial advisory group formed in July to address retail crime.

The changes were intended to enable shop owners or security guards to prevent a thief from leaving the retail store with the stolen goods without risking being charged for using force. Ministers Goldsmith and McKee were expected to explain the application of reasonable force in those scenarios.

It was understood the proposed changes, which were intended to come into force this year, wouldn't have age limitations and would not require a minimum price for the stolen items before a citizen's arrest could be made.

The ministers were expected to encourage the public and retail staff to contact police if an incident occurred and to prioritise their own safety over detaining an offender. nzherald.co.nz


UK: Crime and Policing Bill measures to protect convenience stores welcomed by ACS

Durham, NC: Juvenile crimes jump 27% with 529 offenses, annual crime report shows
 

Why Dollar Stores Lead in OSHA Violations
A Look at Systemic Issues in Discount Retail

By the D&D Daily staff

Dollar stores, like Dollar General and Family Dollar, frequently top OSHA's list for workplace safety violations. The D&D Daily has frequently reported on fines and violations at various dollar store chains. Several systemic factors contribute to this trend.

1. Understaffing and High Turnover: Chronic understaffing means employees juggle multiple tasks, leading to blocked exits, unstable merchandise, and cluttered stockrooms. High turnover further hampers consistent safety training.

2. Profit-Driven Operations: Operating on thin margins, dollar stores prioritize efficiency over safety. Skeleton crews and tight budgets often result in neglected hazards and outdated equipment.

3. Small Stores, Big Shipments: Compact store layouts can't accommodate large shipments, creating tripping hazards and obstructed emergency exits-common OSHA citations.

4. Inconsistent Oversight: While corporate policies exist, enforcement varies at store level. Managers often focus on sales, while employees lack the resources to address safety issues.

5. Repeated Offenses and Rising Penalties: Despite over $21 million in fines for Dollar General alone in 2023, violations persist due to the industry's profit-first model.

Can Change Happen?: Lasting improvement requires more than fines-it demands a cultural shift toward prioritizing worker safety.


Friday's Economic Blackout Could Impacted Big Retailers
A boycott of Target, Amazon, Walmart and more in being planned for Feb. 28. Here's why
 
Various groups have been calling for widespread boycotts to protest corporations who are following President Donald Trump's lead in rolling back DEI initiatives.

One boycott is an "economic blackout" proposed for Feb. 28. On that day, consumers have been encouraged to refrain from spending any money in stores or online. A group called The People's Union is one of the groups behind the Feb. 28 blackout campaign, which has spread over social media.

The People's Union directs people to not make any purchases at all on Feb. 28, and especially not from any major retailers. Their website specifically mentions Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

If there is an emergency or needed essentials, consumers are encouraged to support a local small business instead.

The People's Union has also announced boycotts against Amazon, Nestle, and Walmart to happen in the months ahead, and other groups are encouraging boycotts throughout the country. Civil rights activists in Minnesota are asking consumers not to shop at Target after the Minneapolis-based retailer decided to phase out DEI initiatives, a move civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong called "a slap in the face.” providencejournal.com
  

AI's Impact on Workplace Safety
Podcast: How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Workplace Safety

Benchmark Gensuite's Natasha Porter explains creative applications for AI in the workplace and how the tool can help move the needle on safety.

Our perception is often our reality. That's why perspective and context is so important, especially when it comes to seeing problems, solutions, aids, tools and threats, among other emotionally driven responses.

Decades of discussion (and possibly experience) with automation and redundancy, combined with an innate fear of change, have taught workers to be skeptical of technology in the workplace. While certainly understandable, that perception could also be holding us back.

EHS Today Managing Editor Nicole Stempak and Natasha Porter, Chief Customer Officer at Benchmark Gensuite who previously worked as a safety professional for GE, discuss how communication, language and change management are key to rolling out new tools or applications for Aritificial Intelligence. Once you get buy-in, there's virtually no limit to the ways AI can absorb some of the brainstorming, repetitive or data-driven tasks so that safety professionals can spend more of their time developing creative solutions and tackling some of the thorniest issues while making noticable gains in safety metrics.

Listen to the full conversation here: ehstoday.com
 

'Retail's Top Women Awards'
Nominations Open: CSA's Retail's Top Women Awards
Chain Store Age is now accepting nominations for its Retail's Top Women Awards, which honor the crucial role women play in key areas of retail operations and their overall contributions to the industry at large.

The program is designed to put a spotlight on the achievements of female retail executives in the following categories:

• Technology
• Supply Chain
• Marketing
• Finance

Nominations are open to women employed in all sectors of the retail industry, including department stores, discounters, grocers, specialty stores, convenience stores, DTC brands and more. Only women who work in a senior executive role for a retail company are eligible for consideration.

See more here: chainstoreage.com


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