Milk and Wine Co Heathmont: Cafe sticks up for staff after hot weather stance

A popular Heathmont cafe has been branded “precious” on social media for deciding to close early to protect its staff from the heat.

Milk and Wine Co chefs Anil Khanal and Zeke Jackson with the Heathmont cafe's co-owner Beth Hancock. Picture: Kiel Egging

The operators of a Heathmont cafe say they will continue to put their staff’s health and wellbeing first, after being attacked on social media for deciding to close early due to the heat.

Management at Milk and Wine Co on Canterbury Rd revealed they had received some “incredibly negative feedback” following their decision to close an hour and a half early – at 2pm – due to the heat on Saturday.

They did so again on Tuesday as the temperature went above 35 degrees, to ensure its kitchen staff in particular did not endure “uncomfortable” conditions.

“Our staff are our lifeline here and we consider them family and will always do what is best for them,” the cafe wrote on its Facebook page.

“The conditions today will make it not only uncomfortable for them, but a danger to their health, in particular, our wonderful kitchen team.

“Please be respectful and know, we will continue to do what is best for our family while still remaining a reliable, safe place for this community to come to.”

Heathmont cafe Milk and Wine Co's owners Beth Hancock and Derek Hitt consider their staff like ‘family’. File picture.

Co-owner Beth Hancock told Leader the cafe decided to reinforce its position through Tuesday’s Facebook post, after a disgruntled follower described their decision on Saturday as “precious” and “delicate”.

Ms Hancock said the customer later deleted her comments after management reached out to discuss their stance with her.

Following a tragic incident involving a former staff member at the end of last year, Ms Hancock said she and co-owner Derek Hitt were “even more mindful” of their staff wellbeing, which also contributed to their decision

“We knew it (the weather) was going to peak each day early and it was going to be a long day.,” she said.

“Hospitality is a really hard industry and it’s hard to get staff, so we try to treat them as best we can.”

Ms Hancock said the cafe would consider closing early again on hot days in the future depending on circumstances at the time.

Readers showed widespread support for the cafe and the reasoning behind its decision on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page.

Harmony Hann wrote: “The fact that they are putting their team’s wellbeing ahead of people’s coffee needs (and the cafe’s financial gain!) is commendable!”

Ben McSkimming wrote: “More power to you, Milk & Wine Co, I’ve never been to your cafe but will make a point of it now, while Elle Moore said the cafe “have looked after their staff since they opened the day we first locked down in 2020.

“Keep it up guys, you have many loyal followers, customers and supporters. Ignore the haters,” she wrote. ️