AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
The family of an autistic Melbourne man claim he has been left “traumatised” after a Spotlight worker told his carer to “put a leash on him” when he became too loud in the store.
The man's sister Natolé Jasonides was left fuming after the encounter at a Melbourne Spotlight store, which she claims robbed her 24-year-old brother George “of his basic human right”.
She said George was under the close supervision of his carer when they were confronted by a staff member and told he was scaring other customers.
“This [person] was rude and aggressive towards George’s carer and made it very clear that George was not welcome,” Ms Jasonides told 7 News.
Natolé (right) said her brother had been robbed of his basic human rights by the Spotlight worker. Source: Supplied
She said the employee followed them around the store before slamming the “door of the office while the carer tried to speak in his defence”.
The carer said she was left crying in the car following the exchange.
“[This person] followed us around the store like we were criminals. When I asked why, given he hasn’t hurt anyone or broken anything in the store, [they] said 'well he’s been here before and he scares people',” the carer said according to Ms Jasonides.
Describing her younger brother as “a boisterous young man”, Ms Jasonides said he is a regular customer of Spotlight and “completely harmless”.
“George’s pleasures in life are simple; a trip to the shops, a visit to the library, a smile, a conversation with a stranger and kindness. In saying that, as human beings it is a basic human right to have the ability to freely access the community,” she added.
Natolé said Spotlight was her brother's favourite store. Source: Supplied
"Today George was robbed of this basic human right."
Spotlight told Yahoo7 they deny the words "on a leash were ever used".
“We are currently in contact with George’s family including his father and sister to offer our sincere apologies on behalf of the Spotlight team," a Spotlight spokesperson said.
We have spoken to the store team in question and wish to express that any offense that was given, does not reflect the values of Spotlight.
"We have taken statements from all staff members and all of them say those words about ‘on a leash’ were not used."
Source: Spotlight worker accused of telling carer to 'put a leash' on autistic customer
The family of an autistic Melbourne man claim he has been left “traumatised” after a Spotlight worker told his carer to “put a leash on him” when he became too loud in the store.
The man's sister Natolé Jasonides was left fuming after the encounter at a Melbourne Spotlight store, which she claims robbed her 24-year-old brother George “of his basic human right”.
She said George was under the close supervision of his carer when they were confronted by a staff member and told he was scaring other customers.
“This [person] was rude and aggressive towards George’s carer and made it very clear that George was not welcome,” Ms Jasonides told 7 News.
Natolé (right) said her brother had been robbed of his basic human rights by the Spotlight worker. Source: Supplied
She said the employee followed them around the store before slamming the “door of the office while the carer tried to speak in his defence”.
The carer said she was left crying in the car following the exchange.
“[This person] followed us around the store like we were criminals. When I asked why, given he hasn’t hurt anyone or broken anything in the store, [they] said 'well he’s been here before and he scares people',” the carer said according to Ms Jasonides.
Describing her younger brother as “a boisterous young man”, Ms Jasonides said he is a regular customer of Spotlight and “completely harmless”.
“George’s pleasures in life are simple; a trip to the shops, a visit to the library, a smile, a conversation with a stranger and kindness. In saying that, as human beings it is a basic human right to have the ability to freely access the community,” she added.
Natolé said Spotlight was her brother's favourite store. Source: Supplied
"Today George was robbed of this basic human right."
Spotlight told Yahoo7 they deny the words "on a leash were ever used".
“We are currently in contact with George’s family including his father and sister to offer our sincere apologies on behalf of the Spotlight team," a Spotlight spokesperson said.
We have spoken to the store team in question and wish to express that any offense that was given, does not reflect the values of Spotlight.
"We have taken statements from all staff members and all of them say those words about ‘on a leash’ were not used."
Source: Spotlight worker accused of telling carer to 'put a leash' on autistic customer
