A Melbourne cafe has hit back at an elderly customer who sparked a bitter row about hygiene when they criticised a staff member for working while ‘clearly sick.’
The anonymous customer emailed the cafe to slam a staff member who was seen coughing and visibly unwell while serving customers.
‘She looked and sounded awful, and I overheard her telling another customer that she was sick,’ the customer wrote on Reddit.
‘It was really off-putting, especially since she wasn’t wearing a mask.
‘I understand people need to run their business, but it’s unsettling to see someone so clearly sick serving food and drinks without taking basic precautions,’ the customer added.
The customer shared the email she wrote to the cafe on social media.
‘I had to throw my coffee away after seeing her touch my coffee cup,’ they wrote.
‘I am elderly and do not want to get sick from other people’s highly unhygienic habits.’
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In response to the customer’s email, the cafe said that sometimes staff needed to work when unwell.
‘I can assure you that there are no unhygienic habits undertaken, as we take health and well-being very seriously with constant sanitation happening and gloves being worn if preparing food.’
The cafe owner insisted the staff member was unable to wear a mask.
‘I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable,’ they added.
‘However, given ongoing sanitisation before handling, you would quite possibly be more likely to catch something from another customer or someone standing next to you outside, rather than this interaction.’
The email chain triggered an angry response from hundreds of Aussies when posted to social media.
‘I thought Covid was meant to teach us if you’re sick stay home, but the incompetence of managers has gotten worse,’ one said.
Another commented: ‘It is against food safety regulations for people who handle the prep of food and drinks to be unwell.’
A third added: ‘This makes me rage. Wear a mask at the absolute least. So insanely selfish.
‘I’d like to know the name of the cafe so I can avoid it. I have walked out of places in situations like this.’
Many pointed out that the lack of sick leave for casual workers forces employees to show up to work even when they’re unwell.
‘Casual workers no longer get sick leave, and people need to earn money to feed themselves,’ one said.
‘Most hospitality workers are a couple of missed shifts away from missing their rent payments and potentially being out on the street,’ a second added.
‘Cold and flu symptoms can hang around for a few weeks for some people.
‘This is just the reality of living in Australia in 2024, where the cost of housing has negatively impacted almost every other aspect of society.’
A third person shared their experience: ‘I just went three weeks without pay (I’m a hospitality worker) because customers are just as bad.
‘The number of filthy keep-cups handed over to me is revolting, as is coughing and slobbering all over your cash. Stay home if you’re sick, dammit!’