Yamba shop owner stands up to mask marauders ‘bullying staff’

Kylee Watson was worried that standing up to “bullies” over masks might make her a target, but said she won’t tolerate her staff being abused.

While police say public health orders are being followed by the majority of people, there are still those who believe the rules don’t apply to them.

And one Yamba shopkeeper has spoken out, decrying the actions of naysayers who harassed her staff as mask restrictions were introduced.

And while Kylee Watson, owner of My FAVE Home Living said she feared making the statement would make her a target, she was overwhelmed with the community support for her stance.

Ms Watson said that last weekend as mask restrictions came in, on top of having the QR code sign in which wasn’t mandatory at the time, they put up signs around the business about wearing masks.

“There were people who just didn’t want to wear masks, and they would just yell at my girls,” she said.

“One of the girls who got yelled at, and they screamed that they’d just lost 500 dollars of sales and would never come back, and other horrible things.”

Ms Watson wasn’t at the business when it occurred, and said while she was fine to respond to that sort of behaviour, for people to take it out on junior staff was unacceptable.

“We’ve got 15-year-old girls here trying to do the right thing, and I feel like a mum whose kids have been picked on through no fault of their own,” she said.

“I won’t tolerate the bullying. If I have to lose $500 of sales, so be it. The safety of my staff is more important.”

A NSW police spokeswoman business owners/managers can refuse entry/service to people who are not complying with the Public Health Orders and with issues they can call local police at any time.

They said they should gauge the situation and assess whether refusing someone may escalate and heighten the risk of violence or harm to themselves, their staff or other customers.

If a situation does escalate and there is a risk to safety, they should call triple-0 immediately.

Ms Watson posted her experience to Facebook, and said she had mixed emotions about outing the issue, fearing it could lead to targeting.

“But the community support has been overwhelming. I think someone has to stand up and say something,” she said.

“If someone wants to blow up at me, fine – but don’t pick on my staff.”