Three Blue Ducks urges customers not to abuse staff over Covid-19 rules

After a restaurant owner was allegedly attacked due to a QR code request, venues have urged people not to “abuse” staff over Covid-19 rules.

Hospitality bosses are pleading with customers to stop abusing their staff for enforcing coronavirus rules, after shocking security footage captured a couple allegedly attacking a restaurant owner when asked to check in to the venue using a QR code.

The security footage showed the moment things allegedly turned violent after the pair were told to leave the Anatolia Turkish Cuisine eatery at Forster, on the NSW mid-north coast, with the restaurant owner suffering facial injuries and a suspected broken nose.

The news prompted the owners of Three Blue Ducks, who run a string of restaurants in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and include MasterChef winner Andy Allen on the team, to share a powerful post on Instagram about the unacceptable way staff have been treated.

It documented how staff have been “compared to Hitler” and dealt with “vile acts of madness” from people who refuse to wear masks.

Three Blue Ducks spoke about the “difficult” and “weird” time its staff and venues have had to operate under for the last 15 months and how each new Covid-19 outbreak brings a new set of rules to follow making the constant changes quite hard to follow.

“It can be confusing, it can be frustrating, but that doesn’t mean you can get worked up and take it out on those people being asked to police these rules. Our staff, and other hospo staff, some of the most impacted by Covid, many of them out of work for months at a time, not knowing when they’ll get another pay cheque, show up day after day, to serve the many wonderful people that visit our venues,” it continued.

“BUT they’re not there to be abused, sworn at, compared to Hitler, or there to deal with any other vile act of madness from people that refuse to wear a mask. It’s not their fault. We don’t make these rules. We follow them to help keep the community safe and to make sure we can stay open and avoid more lockdowns.”

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The owners of Three Blue Ducks, Andy Allen, Mark Labrooy and Darren Robertson. Picture: Supplied

The long post was accompanied by a photo of staff wearing masks and included the words ‘It’s not our fault’ in capital letters under its employees.

Three Blue Ducks’ owners urged that if people visit one of their restaurants or other hospitality venues to wear a mask if the Government requires it.

“We want you to come in, we all appreciate the business, but if you come in without a mask and you’re asked to put one on by a member of staff, then don’t be a goose, just put one on. It’s simple,” the post ended.

In just two hours, the post had attracted hundreds of comments, with many writing it was “awful” and “so sad” that staff were being abused for just doing their job.

“As a hospo worker thank you for making a post about the abuse and thank you for all that you do. We work long hours in hot conditions and we don’t deserve abuse of any kind. We’re here to make amazing food for people and greet you with smiles and friendly conversation … We don’t make the rules but we do have to follow them to keep us all safe,” one woman said.

“Can’t believe you are even having to post a message like this, such a shame it’s bringing out the worst in some people. Good on you for posting and a huge thanks to the hospitality industry during this time,” another woman wrote.

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Andy Allen won MasterChef and is now a judge on the reality show. Picture: Rob Leeson

Other hospitality owners were also grateful to Three Blue Ducks for shining a light on the issue.

“Could not agree more. We run a small business in Melbourne and have been abused, hung up on and bad reviews left for no reason. It’s hard to deal with and people need to step back and take responsibility for their own feelings and actions. Nobody chose this or wants this, it’s just reality,” one man wrote.

“Well said. It’s hard to run a business, look after staff, abide by government rules and restrictions, serve great food and bev, avoid fines, keep customers safe and happy and get a good night’s sleep, all without having a clue what will happen tomorrow. Hospo is resilient,” one cafe owner added.