Safety Concerns Rise as Co-op Expands Lone Working Scheme

  • Co-op employees raise safety concerns over lone working in stores amid shoplifting surge
  • Increasing use of lone working leaves staff vulnerable to threats and abuse
  • Project Lunar scheme extends to 60 branches this year
  • Staff report feeling unsafe due to understaffing and isolation during breaks
  • Over 3,000 sign petition urging Co-op to end lone working
  • 80% of workers feel unsafe due to understaffing, according to survey

Co-op employees have expressed concerns over the supermarket’s increasing use of lone working in stores, which they say leaves them vulnerable to threats and abuse amid a surge in shoplifting incidents. The retailer is set to extend its Project Lunar scheme, involving one staff member on duty in quieter locations, while also using ‘one-on-one’ staffing models in many stores. Workers have reported experiences of abuse, including threats with weapons and feeling unsafe when colleagues take breaks. A survey found that 80% of employees feel unsafe due to understaffing. Over 3,000 customers have signed a petition urging Co-op to end lone working.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the safety concerns raised by Co-op employees regarding lone working in stores, quotes from workers and a campaigner, and includes relevant statistics on profit increase. However, it does not include any invalid arguments or logical errors.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about safety concerns raised by Co-op employees due to the increasing use of lone working in stores and its potential impact on staff and customer safety. It also includes quotes from workers and a campaigner highlighting the issue. However, it could benefit from more data or evidence to support the claims made and explore the consequences of this practice on both staff and customers further.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses financial relevance in terms of the Co-op’s profit increase, mentioning a 35% jump in underlying profit to £131m. However, it does not directly impact any specific financial markets or companies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text, but the article discusses safety concerns and potential risks for employees due to lone working practices in Co-op stores. The impact is considered minor as there are no reports of major incidents or significant consequences mentioned.

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