Violence at work is a daily reality for many retail employees in Austria, says the GPA union, citing a survey of over 1,500 members: nearly half have been insulted, threatened, or sexually harassed on the job—8.4 percent just in the past year. “Customers are the main problem,” says GPA chair Barbara Teiber.

“Over the years, our works council team has seen ever-harsher treatment and rising aggression toward our colleagues,” reported Billa works council member Sabine Grossensteiner in Vienna on Monday.

Incidents on the Rise

In the non-representative survey, 57.8 percent reported insults, 58.6 percent intimidation, and 37.6 percent threats. Twenty percent of women experienced verbal sexual harassment, 4 percent physical assault, and 40 percent endured sexist jokes. Over half (53.2 percent) say such incidents have increased in the last five years.

Grossensteiner described groups of men lingering in branches, leering, making lewd comments—sometimes in other languages—and even brushing against female staff. Armed robberies are rising, and shoplifters grow more aggressive when caught.

Union Demands Protections

Staff are spat on, and customers fight at checkout, Teiber said. She urged employers to side with employees rather than placate abusive customers with vouchers. The GPA calls for structural measures: a right to psychological support, violence-protection officers in firms of 20+ staff, mandatory minimum staffing during peak hours, and store layouts designed to reduce stress—avoiding narrow aisles and cramped checkouts.