Macca’s snap that is a sad sign of the times

A photo of a McDonald’s restaurant has prompted a huge uproar from the community, with many comparing the location to a zoo.

A popular Macca’s location has been forced to put in a glass barricade between staff and customers over safety fears.

The image from a McDonald’s on King St in Newcastle was shared to Facebook by Newy 87.8FM.

It showed a glass barricade over the counter at the restaurant. There was a small hole for food to be slotted through.

The image got a huge reaction from the community — many of whom said it was about time the restaurant did something.

“If Macca’s really cared about their staff, they would only do drive thru and close to walk-ins. In a couple of my businesses we close earlier to protect my staff,” one social media user said.

A safety glass barrier has been put in at a McDonald's in Newcastle. Picture: Facebook/Newy 87.8FM Newcastle

Another added: “I really feel for the staff who work there. It must be very traumatic at times.”

“Alcohol and late night food stops are always a bad mix. The kids have to be protected I’d make it window service only,” one added.

One social media user added: “Kids work there. They should be bending over backward to keep them safe and free from traumatic incidents!”

“What is this world coming too,” another asked.

“I’m an Uber driver and NEVER pick anyone up from King Street Maccas or anywhere near it at night. To call it a zoo is unkind to zoo animals,” one said.

Another social media user said: “It should have been installed years ago! I remember one night being in there and a lady went to punch a worker after she spilt drink on her and I remember grabbing her and pushing her away. Place is like a zoo!”

A final person added: “It’s for their own safety, people do not have the right to go in there and abuse staff all because their order is wrong, they are human and make mistakes if you want your mistakes fixed then you go in there and talk to them with respect, you don’t go in there and abuse them.”

A McDonald’s Australia spokesperson said safety is reviewed frequently at the stores.

“Ensuring our restaurants are safe, welcoming places for our people and customers is a top priority for McDonald’s,” the spokesperson told news.com.au.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said safety is reviewed frequently at the stores. Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP

“We regularly review and proactively implement new safety and security measures as needed, to ensure our restaurants are spaces that our people and the community can enjoy.”

The image surfaced after the NSW Government issued a timely reminded to customers to behave respectfully to retail and hospitality staff.

Earlier this year the government issued tough new laws to crack down on abuse to staff. Causing actual bodily harm could land someone in prison for 11 years. Since the laws were put into place nearly 100 people have been charged with 44 people convicted and 13 copping a custodial imprisonment sentence.

A recent Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) of 4600 retail and hospitality workers found 76 per cent had experienced regular verbal abuse over the past 12 months.

Meanwhile 12.5 per cent faced physical violence. This is a 50 per cent jump from a similar survey two years ago.