It’s getting rough out there for retail workers during the coronavirus outbreak, a California woman wants the public to know.
Earlier this month, Samantha Clarke of Modesto says, a customer attacked her while she was working at a Big 5 sporting goods store.
“We didn’t have what they wanted and she lost her temper and she hit me in the face,” Clarke told FOX 40 of Sacramento.
Clarke shared photos showing blood streaming down the side of her face after the alleged attack.
In an April post on Facebook, Clarke seemed to sense that an incident like the alleged attack on May 6 might be coming.
“My business has been deemed essential,” she wrote April 26. “So myself and my employees put ourselves at risk every day so that people can shop for their needs. Well, the public, not all, but too many, hate the guidelines put in place that allow us to do business and keep our jobs. Multiple times a day I get cussed out or argued with.”
On May 6, a customer arriving at the store got upset because the store wasn’t able to hold an item for her beyond 30 minutes after she called and inquired about its availability.
“So the lady was upset, understandably. I could understand that she was upset,” Clarke said.
Clarke claims the customer then started throwing things she grabbed off the counter, and a metal item struck Clarke in her face, Clarke told KXTV-TV of Sacramento.
“It was so fast, I couldn't even put my hands up," Clarke told the station. "I had no idea she was going to hit me, like, didn't see it coming.”
The suspect left the store but last week the Modesto Police Department posted a photo showing the suspect in the store’s parking lot, wearing a black mask. The police are hoping to get information from the public on the suspect’s whereabouts.
After the attack, Clarke created a new Facebook page called “Retail life during Covid-19,” to draw attention to the risks that retail workers face.
"I’ve had a lot of people asking me how I’m doing. This is Sunday night, 5/17, so 11 days after the incident. The bruising is almost all gone except for the small ring under my eye that seems to be really hanging in there.
The scar feels really gross. It’s hard and sort of lumpy and still upsetting to see. Pain is minimal now unless for some reason I find a way to smack it somehow.
Mentally...I’m up and down. I’ve been feeling nervous a lot, more so when I’m at work, and even more so when shoppers are upset about something, so basically, a lot. But I try not to let it show and I respond in the same way I always have which is professionally as possible.
On the up side of it all, I really just want something good to come out of it all. Between this page, and the group, this has given a lot of people a support system and a place to share their own experiences. I’m hoping this will bring more awareness to what we are going through as front line employees and maybe...just maybe...make someone think before deciding we are the enemy here."
“Never in a million years thought that I was going to be hit in the face for doing my job," Clarke told KXTV.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/californ...her-bloody-face-after-alleged-customer-attack
Earlier this month, Samantha Clarke of Modesto says, a customer attacked her while she was working at a Big 5 sporting goods store.
“We didn’t have what they wanted and she lost her temper and she hit me in the face,” Clarke told FOX 40 of Sacramento.
Clarke shared photos showing blood streaming down the side of her face after the alleged attack.
In an April post on Facebook, Clarke seemed to sense that an incident like the alleged attack on May 6 might be coming.
“My business has been deemed essential,” she wrote April 26. “So myself and my employees put ourselves at risk every day so that people can shop for their needs. Well, the public, not all, but too many, hate the guidelines put in place that allow us to do business and keep our jobs. Multiple times a day I get cussed out or argued with.”
On May 6, a customer arriving at the store got upset because the store wasn’t able to hold an item for her beyond 30 minutes after she called and inquired about its availability.
“So the lady was upset, understandably. I could understand that she was upset,” Clarke said.
Clarke claims the customer then started throwing things she grabbed off the counter, and a metal item struck Clarke in her face, Clarke told KXTV-TV of Sacramento.
“It was so fast, I couldn't even put my hands up," Clarke told the station. "I had no idea she was going to hit me, like, didn't see it coming.”
The suspect left the store but last week the Modesto Police Department posted a photo showing the suspect in the store’s parking lot, wearing a black mask. The police are hoping to get information from the public on the suspect’s whereabouts.
After the attack, Clarke created a new Facebook page called “Retail life during Covid-19,” to draw attention to the risks that retail workers face.
"I’ve had a lot of people asking me how I’m doing. This is Sunday night, 5/17, so 11 days after the incident. The bruising is almost all gone except for the small ring under my eye that seems to be really hanging in there.
The scar feels really gross. It’s hard and sort of lumpy and still upsetting to see. Pain is minimal now unless for some reason I find a way to smack it somehow.
Mentally...I’m up and down. I’ve been feeling nervous a lot, more so when I’m at work, and even more so when shoppers are upset about something, so basically, a lot. But I try not to let it show and I respond in the same way I always have which is professionally as possible.
On the up side of it all, I really just want something good to come out of it all. Between this page, and the group, this has given a lot of people a support system and a place to share their own experiences. I’m hoping this will bring more awareness to what we are going through as front line employees and maybe...just maybe...make someone think before deciding we are the enemy here."
“Never in a million years thought that I was going to be hit in the face for doing my job," Clarke told KXTV.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/californ...her-bloody-face-after-alleged-customer-attack
