OfficeWorks issues apology for worker’s refusal to laminate Jewish newspaper
The customer was denied service at Officeworks in March when he requested to have a page from a Jewish newspaper laminated.
Officeworks has issued an apology after a man was refused service for the same reason.
The incident was recorded on video in March and shared on Aug. 1 by Victorian MP David Southwick.
Southwick condemned the behavior in the video and stated that he would be reaching out to Officeworks.
The video shows a female manager in the printing section declining to laminate a page from the Australian Jewish News newspaper, citing her support for Palestine as the reason.
The Jewish man being served responded calmly, acknowledging that she was there to do her job.
However, the clerk insisted that Officeworks had the right to refuse jobs and mentioned her discomfort as a reason for declining the service.
The incident occurred in March, but the customer felt the need to share it for awareness.
Disciplinary Action Taken
Managing director of Officeworks, Sarah Hunter, confirmed that the incident was investigated and appropriate disciplinary action was taken.
Hunter reassured that Officeworks does not discriminate against customers based on their political views, religious beliefs, gender, sexuality, or race.
The company provides training to their team members to ensure all customers are treated with respect and dignity.
In response to the incident, relevant team members underwent education at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum.
Officeworks regrets the incident and the distress it caused to the customer.
‘A Front for Anti-Semitism,’ Says Jewish Representative
The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) expressed deep concern over the incident involving a member of their organization.
CEO Robert Gregory stated that a Jewish man was denied service at Officeworks simply for wanting to laminate a Jewish newspaper.
Gregory criticized the employee’s actions, suggesting that they were driven by anti-Semitism rather than genuine support for Palestine.
He called for the immediate termination of the employee and highlighted the need to combat such discrimination in modern-day Australia.
