Unhappy holidays | Seasonal retail staff fearful over workplace safety, report finds

With the holiday season fast approaching, the safety concerns of American retail workers are rising and a new survey from Motorola Solutions reveals that more than half are apprehensive about personal safety.

Some 57% report feeling unsafe in the workplace due to increasing incidents of theft, violence, and understaffing. The findings show the need for stronger safety measures and protections, particularly for temporary seasonal staff who bolster retail workforces at this time of year.

The annual US Retail Worker Safety Report, compiled by independent research firm Researchscape, surveyed more than 1,000 retail employees and managers in September 2024.

The majority of respondents reported experiencing a rise in store theft, grab-and-run incidents, and hostile interactions with customers, which have added to worker anxieties. Physical assaults on staff were also reported by 10% of respondents, highlighting a trend of escalating aggression in stores.