Workers ‘struggling to do their jobs’ as Northern Ireland retailers deal with lockdown

Retail NI has now enlisted the help of Professor Siobhan O’Neill, the interim mental health champion for Northern Ireland, who has agreed to work with the retail sector on the need for the public to respect everybody working in the industry.

She is encouraging the public to play their part by wearing a mask, using sanitiser, respecting retail guidelines and simply saying “thank you” to retail workers who serve them.

She said: “There is no doubt that this is a difficult time for everyone and all of our frontline workers are under pressure.

Retail workers are a key part of our human frontline and they are keeping shops open, shelves stocked and helping people get what they need safely.

It’s important that we recognise this is a really difficult time for the retail industry.

“Often small gestures make the biggest difference, so a smile behind a mask, or just a ‘thank you’ can go a long way to saying we appreciate you are doing all you can to help us.

“I am joining with Retail NI to simply say ‘thank you – we appreciate your help’ and to encourage the public to do the same.

“It’s easy and in the current climate a positive message goes such a long way for all of us.”

Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said: “With increased levels of verbal and physical abuse from some shoppers and the other pressures that come with this pandemic, the mental health of our members and their staff is a top priority for us.

“Retail workers are there to support our community by ensuring food and other vital products are widely available and so we would urge people to be considerate and respectful to staff when shopping.

“Retail NI wants to the see improved levels of mental health and well-being as key economic indicators for our wider economy and we look forward to working with the mental health champion to achieve this.”

Northern Ireland is now midway through a four-week lockdown which was imposed on 16 October.