Every day, retail and fast food workers face threats, harassment, and violence, just for doing their jobs.
88% of SDA members said they’ve been subjected to verbal abuse in 2025. After two years of campaigning, the SDA has won tougher penalties for customer abuse and violence in Victoria. We have also secured the commitment to legislate Workplace Protection Orders which will allow employers to take persistent offenders to Court to ban them from stores.
The reality for frontline workers
Across Victoria’s shops, cafes, fast food outlets and transport, workers are being threatened, harassed, and physically assaulted. These aren’t isolated incidents, they’re an escalating crisis affecting some of our most vulnerable workers.
The SDA’s campaign
In May 2024, Premier Jacinta Allan promised legislation with stronger penalties for customers who abuse or assault workers. We held the government to that promise and called for the legislation to be passed as soon as possible.
This campaign is part of the national No One Deserves a Serve initiative, raising awareness and driving change for customer-facing workers across Australia.
Key goals of the campaign include:
-
Tougher penalties for abusive or violent customers, to act as a deterrent and hold offenders accountable.
-
Introducing Workplace Protection Orders, so workers are protected from repeat offenders.
-
Protection of workers’ safety and wellbeing, ensuring frontline staff can perform their duties without fear.
