Chevron Traffic management employee receiving counselling as company admits failure over abusive texts

A couple who were abused by roadworkers, then copped a vitriolic and foul-mouthed tirade from the company when they complained, has received an apology.

The traffic management company whose employee unloaded a tirade of abuse at a couple who inadvertently drove on to a roadworks site on Sunday night has issued an “unreserved” apology.

Chevron Traffic Management branch manager Michelle Hall issued a statement on behalf of the company, admitting they had “failed”.

“We apologise unreservedly for the way in which our employees communicated with a member of the public on North Terrace and via text on Sunday night,” Ms Hall said.

“Our employees are engaged in work that brings them into close contact with moving traffic. They are trained and practised at dealing with confused, frustrated or abusive motorists.

“However, on this occasion, we failed.”

It comes after one of their workers called Mel Haynes and her partner “f****** idiots” when they accidentally drove their car on to a roadworks site on North Tce.

When they complained to the company, they received an even more abusive text message that began “Hey, open ya f***** eyes and look at the signage ya dumb c***”.

Ms Hall said the employee at the centre of the abuse is now receiving counselling.

Chris Dix and Mel Haynes and their dog Spicy at the corner of Austin St and North Tce where they were abused by signage road workers for turning left out of Austin St – there were no roadworks signs at this intersection. Picture: Mark Brake

The extraordinary response the couple received.

“The tone, language and manner of both the verbal and written communication as reported to us is completely out of line with our company’s values and the standards we expect of each other,” Ms Hall said.

“The individual staff involved in this regrettable incident are being counselled and we are determined to learn from this as an organisation.

“We have apologised sincerely to Ms Haynes and her partner for the hurt our words have caused.”

Ms Haynes and her partner accepted the apology.

“We are glad that they understand that sometimes confusion and frustration go both ways and hope they and their employee benefit from this experience in the future,” she said.