“68% of Ladbrokes staff worry about working alone” say Community Union


Groundbreaking research for shows that 68% of Ladbrokes staff are worried or very worried about working alone.

“68% of Ladbrokes staff worry about working alone” say Community Union

London, Monday 30th November 2009

Today ground breaking research for Community Union – the Trade Union for betting shop workers – shows that 68% of Ladbrokes staff are worried or very worried about working alone. The survey was prompted by Ladbrokes’ unilateral decision to introduce mandatory single staffing, reneging on an earlier agreement to ensure all single staffing was undertaken voluntarily. This policy will be enforced tomorrow, Tuesday 1st December.

Single staffing is an issue of concern to the Community union as lone person working exposes staff to a greater risk of anti-social behaviour such as verbal and physical abuse and armed robbery. This policy mandates a minimum 3 hour single staffing period on Sunday, historically the highest risk day for armed robbery due to the volume of cash held on premises, and through other points in the week.

The unprecedented results of the Community survey show that 56% of respondents have been scheduled to work alone and many are still waiting to hear how they will be affected. 68% of surveyed members indicated that single staffing makes them worried, with nearly half declaring that they are "very worried" by the prospect of lone person working.

Community Union Regional Director Christine Hardacre said:

‘Ladbrokes are placing their staff at risk of verbal and physical abuse as well as violent armed robbery. We have seen rates of Anti-social behaviour skyrocket in the last 5 years, and now Ladbrokes are forcing their staff to face this abuse with no care for their employees. Ladbrokes have put people before profit.

An anonymous Ladbrokes employee said:

‘I am petrified of closing up on a Sunday on my own it is the time we have the most money in the shop due to no banking facilities after 12.00am Saturday.

I have already been robbed when left on my own. I am looking for another job because of this. I think this is disgusting, they are not considering staff in any way’

Ends.