Violence against staff could become easier to prosecute following proposals by the MSP for Edinburgh Southern to bring forward new legislation to protect bar and retail staff from violence at work.
Daniel Johnson is to bring forward a consultation on a Member’s Bill which will create new offences around the assault and abuse of workers who are involved in the sale of age-restricted items like alcohol and tobacco.
The Bill will aim to protect workers from physical and verbal abuse – both of which have increased in the last few years.
“Violence and abuse has become far too commonplace for staff in shops, bars and pubs across Scotland,” said Johnson. “It is unacceptable for us to regard such abuse as ‘just part of the job’.
“That’s why I am delighted to announce that I am bringing forward legislation to protect workers across Scotland.
“We rely on these workers to ensure that age-restricted products are kept out of the hands of children, and the legislation requires that they challenge those under 25, and are held liable if they don’t. Those challenges and refusal of sale can act as a trigger point for abuse or violence on workers.
“If workers are required to implement the law then they should have the protection of the law.”