Pat on the bum: this Australian waitress won’t stand for it
Australian Annabel Bassin refused to accept being slapped on the bum by a male customer in the bar where she worked. She reported it to the police, and the man had to offer his official apologies. ‘People say I’m overreacting, but no one gets to tell me how I should feel and what I should do.’
Annabel (22) worked as a bar manager in a pub in Sydney, where a 42-year-old customer came in and slapped her on the bum. This was also clearly visible on security camera footage, and Annabel used it to start legal proceedings against the man. He eventually pleaded guilty and apologised, bringing the case to a close. ‘I thought it was important that he realise he had done something that is absolutely unacceptable,’ says Annabel.
Touchy-feely customers
In the Netherlands, almost half of all hospitality employees have experienced touchy-feely customers at some point. Lewd comments, touching and other forms of sexual harassment are encountered especially by female hospitality employees. This is shown by a study commissioned by FNV Horeca in 2018. Fewer than half of the victims consider reporting it, even though these unpleasant experiences diminish enjoyment at work and cause stress. The study also shows that managers intervene in only 1 in 5 cases.
Sex object behind the bar
Annabel says she had become used to being constantly looked at as a sex object while at work. ‘Female employees are often told they look prettier when they smile, and people don’t really take a female manager seriously. Customers need to get this into their heads: if a waitress smiles at you, pours your beer and wishes you a nice day, it doesn’t mean she wants your phone number, that you can sleep with her or even that you can touch her just because you feel like it.’
Hospitality industry, take action!
FNV vice president Kitty Jong said, in response to the study’s findings, that the Dutch hospitality industry needs to take action to put a stop to sexual harassment in the workplace. She believes that inspectors should also enforce policies at hospitality businesses, and advocates employers developing policies in this area. Has anything concrete happened over the past two years? In any case, we haven’t heard anything about it.
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Source: Lad Bible
