Retail workers being left behind: report

Research from the Australian National University and University of Sydney found increased surveillance and the impact of online shopping were among areas having a negative effect on staff.

The study's lead researcher, Professor Ariadne Vromen, said COVID-19 had rapidly changed the nature of retail work.

"Rapid changes including digitisation, the collection and use of big data, and automation are reshaping the retail industry and the skills required to work within it," she said.

"There is a real tension between some of the senior stakeholders in the retail industry, such as employers, industry association leaders and consultants, and the retail workers on the ground."

The study surveyed 1160 retail workers, as well as dozens of senior stakeholders in the retail sector.

It's estimated 11 per cent of all Australian workers are employed in retail.

Of those surveyed, a quarter said they were worried they would lose their job if they did not keep up with the technical skills required.

The research also found 35 per cent of retail workers were concerned about being replaced by cheaper labour, while about 40 per cent said technology was used by employers to watch employees at work.

Nearly half thought customer feedback was used in performance evaluation and had placed them under constant scrutiny by management and customers.

Prof Vromen said women and young people were most impacted by changes to the retail sector.

"A majority of retail employees are women and it is the third most feminised industry in Australia," she said.

"Younger workers are over-represented in retail and more than half of the retail workforce are employed on part-time or casual contracts."

Issues within the sector are set to be discussed at the government's upcoming jobs and skills summit in September.

The two-day summit will bring together employers, unions, civil society and government to address areas such as skills shortages.

Australian Associated Press