Mandate Trade Union Calls for Respect and Fair Treatment for Retail Workers This Christmas Season
Monday 24 November 2025Mandate Trade Union has today – with one month to go to Christmas Eve – called on retail employers and shoppers to show respect for retail workers as the Christmas period intensifies.
Jim Fuery, Mandate AGS, explained that with busy trading hours, understaffing, and rising customer demand, retail staff continue to carry the burden of the sector.
“Christmas just doesn’t happen without retail workers. They’re the ones keeping shelves stocked, helping customers, and holding stores together during the busiest weeks of the year. The very least they deserve is dignity, respect, and fair treatment from their employers and the public.”
In this context, Mr Fuery said that Mandate is asking for:
- Respect from customers and employers enforcing zero tolerance policies for any form of mistreatment of retail workers. There is no excuse for abuse.
- Fair rostering, ensuring workers have proper rest, adequate notice of shifts, and a genuine chance to balance work and family life.
- Acknowledgement of the essential contribution retail workers make to the economy all year round, but especially at Christmas.
- Safe staffing levels, to prevent burnout and protect workers from the health and safety risks that come with overcrowded stores and excessive workloads.
Jim Fuery said that there is a need for employers to commit to ensuring that retail remains a decent, sustainable job.
“Retail workers go above and beyond every Christmas. It’s time employers recognised that with better conditions and for the Government to support the Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2025, a piece of draft legislation aimed at strengthening legal protection for workers from abuse, threats and assault,” Jim Fuery concluded.
