Female staff at Bayswater North Autobarn take action against rude male customers

SEXIST and rude behaviour from male customers, who have called female staff at a Bayswater North automotive shop “dumb” and “stupid”, has forced workers to take action.

FEMALE staff at a Bayswater North auto parts shop are taking a stand against sexist comments and insults from male customers.

The fed-up staff at Autobarn have placed a sign on the counter that reads: “Abuse and sexual comments towards staff members will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the store. Thank you for your co-operation.”

Sales assistant Lucy Douglas-Denton said she had been called “dumb”, and other female staff had been subjected to sexist jokes.

FOOTBRIDGE TO DANGER IN VALLEY

WOMAN ROBBED AT ATM

FINE MESS FOR WORKERS

“They’ve called me dumb and stupid because I’m a woman,” Ms Douglas-Denton said.

Autobarn staff in Bayswater North have put up a sign to let customers know they won't be tolerating abuse or sexual comments.

She said a lot of male customers treated her like she knew nothing.

“People come into the shop and instead of coming to me, they’ll walk straight past me and go to a male member of staff.” she said.

“It’s demeaning and takes a toll on your mental health.

“They’ve thrown receipts in my face before because I wouldn’t give them a refund.”

Fellow staff member Sam Warren said many male customers ignored her or would ask to speak to a man.

“My boss is really good and refers them back to me as the best person to speak with,” she said.

Autobarn Bayswater North sales staff Lucy Douglas-Denton with Sam Warren.

Shop owner Ross Droscher said his staff should not have to put up with sexist behaviour.

“We look after staff and want them to feel comfortable and they don’t need to be discriminated against,” Mr Droscher said.

“The men make a lot of smart alec comments like ‘You’re a woman, you don’t know’.’’

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association state secretary Michael Donovan said he was pleased to see an employer taking customer abuse seriously.

“With 85 per cent of retail and fast food workers being abused at work, it is more important than ever for employers to take a strong stance on this issue,” Mr Donovan said.

“The SDA launched our No One Deserves A Serve campaign at the end of last year because we need to challenge the notion that customer abuse and violence is just part of the job.”

[e-mail]

MORE LILYDALE NEWS

VICTORIAN TIMBER MILLS PUT STATE GOVERNMENT ON NOTICE

TWO YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR GIRLFRIEND-BASHING THUG

TIME TO FACE HOMETRUTHS