Discriminated against by the Managing Director & Postmaster, Elliot Jacobs at UOE East Finchley…read morebranch.
Since the Government announced COVID-19 in March 2020, I have posted parcels, without the aid of a mask. Overall, the UOE staff have been professional, helpful and the key staff have empathised that I cannot wear a mask. Thank you for your support all. Unfortunately, it is with regret that I can not praise the Managing Director & Postmaster, Elliot Jacobs, for his actions or behaviours.
In the past I have found Elliot to be rude, arrogant and condescending, a view shared by other customers as communicated in reviews below. Today I learned Elliot is the Managing Director of UOE. This surprised me, as Elliot does not show the qualities one expects in a leader. When the team is short staffed, Elliot helps, but in doing so he oversimplifies the role of excellent customer service. He demonstrated his incompetence today, when I tried to post an item.
I am ashamed to write that I have an acute respiratory problem and I experience difficulties breathing, which often develops into a cough. Not wearing a mask makes me look defiant, and I am embarrassed about being the odd one out. Also, when I am out in the community without a mask, I feel very anxious that someone might attack me to prove a point. As much as I would like to wear a mask to fit in, doing so causes me great distress and puts my life at risk.
Currently, I carry a mask in case I encounter difficult people, as I do not want to cause a scene. Since the start, I have not had to wear the mask. In addition, I have not caught COVID-19, and consequently I have not had to self-isolate. Unfortunately today, Elliot's actions and behaviour warranted the use of my mask.
Before serving me, Elliot insisted I wore a mask. This was despite standing in a long queue and waiting patiently for service and advising Elliot I had health complications and I was exempt. Elliot was adamant that there was a 'mask law' but he could not provide any evidence. Rather than bickering, it would have been both professional and helpful if Elliot advised that wearing a mask was the law, and the legislation falls under "The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020". He could also advise that there are certain conditions where one might be exempt.
It is with great humiliation that despite reiterating my exemption, I write to advise that Elliot, not only harassed me but escorted me off the premises, shouting at me to get out. He threatened me with the police and threatened that they would issue me with a £200 fine. When I advised that I could not afford the fine, he stated, it was not his problem and then accused me of purposefully directing a cough at him. Elliot also disregarded the social distancing guidelines by being less than two metres away from me, further putting my health at risk. Elliot's handling of the situation was unprofessional and unwarranted. It took Elliot five times longer to make his point, rather than serving me. I left UOE as my ability to breathe quickly deteriorated.
Because of Elliot's actions and his unlawful response to my disability, I have boycotted UOE East Finchley until I feel safe to return. I also prefer to support the manager's of post offices that are more sympathetic to my disability.
As Elliot also threated to ban me from UOE, if I am banned or this review is removed without legitimate justification, I will have no alternative than to sue for discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, as Elliot Jacobs has indirectly discriminated against me.
Please support your local UOE, but please do not support discrimination.
