The SDA’s campaign to eliminate customer abuse and violence tackles the issue through a range of measures – from tougher penalties for customers to ensuring adequate staff levels to increasing reporting by staff and better training.
An integral part of our No One Deserves A Serve campaign is making it clear that retail and fast food workers must be respected by customers and that abuse is never acceptable.

Employers and shopping centres who demonstrate that abuse and violence will not be tolerated is a key measure we campaign for.

Since the launch of our campaign in 2017, various employers have implemented signage – in particular, throughout the covid pandemic.

In 2023, the SDA is pleased to welcome Woolworths decision to run a new set of customer signage in Woolworths Supermarkets and Big W.

“Thanks for showing us respect. Safety is important to us. If your behaviour makes anyone feel unsafe, you will be asked to leave and the police may be notified.”

The signs send a clear message to all customers that the safety of Woolworths and Big W staff is a priority.
The messages will be placed at entry, self serve check outs and services areas and will be complemented with instore radio messages.

In addition, the SDA has worked with the Shopping Centre Council of Australia and the National Retail Association to run No One Deserves A Serve messages in over 150 centres across Australia.

We understand the seriousness of this issue and that there are no overnight solutions.

That’s why it remains a significant and ongoing focus for the SDA whether it’s at the store level, through legislative change or bringing the whole industry together regularly.

It’s your right to work in a safe workplace and it’s your employer’s duty to provide this.

The SDA encourages you to continue to report all incidents even during busy trading periods – this makes a huge difference when it comes to understanding the severity of the problem.