New offences a response to the 'disturbing' rise in abuse, violence in workplaces
Individuals who abuse customer-facing workers in Victoria may now face up to five years in jail under a new legislation aimed at protecting frontline workers in the state.
The new legislation introduces new offences to crack down on abuse, threats, and assaults against retail and hospitality workers and to other customer-facing employees, such as security, cleaners, delivery riders, taxi and rideshare drivers, public transport operators, and contractors working on-site.
The new offences will apply if the conduct takes place while the victim is at work, such as serving customers, transporting passengers, making deliveries, stacking shelves, or when arriving, leaving, or on breaks.
According to the state government, individuals who assault or threaten to assault customer-facing workers may face five years' imprisonment under the new indictable offence that it introduced.
A shorter six-month jail term will apply to separate summary offences that will apply for lower-level assaults or intimidating conduct, such as profane, obscene, or insulting language.
The new offences are a response to the growing calls from businesses and unions to protect frontline employees who are facing rising cases of abuse from customers.
"We've listened to workers, unions, and industry – and these laws respond directly to the disturbing rise in abuse and violence in workplaces across Victoria," said Attorney-General...
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