Harassment from Supplement Clerk

Hi there,

I had the misfortune of being harassed by your supplement assistant Andrea Amier at the Pietermaritzburg Liberty Midlands Mall Branch. The incident occurred this morning.

About a week ago, I purchased a supplement from Dis-Chem. Andrea was present in the store and offered her opinion and guidance, which I appreciated. We engaged in friendly conversation and everything seemed fine. I was looking for a tasty whey protein to include in my recipes. There were no issues or altercations in our communication at all. We were so friendly to one another - which is why her verbal assault this morning really caught me off guard.

I run an online recipe blog called Fit Girl Chen across instagram and Facebook. It's a simple recipe page where I share tasty treat ideas - it's pretty innocent and I aim to never get too opinionated about issues on there, as lord knows the fitness industry is opinionated enough!

Upon purchasing the product, I realised that it contained calcium caseinate, which is inferior to micellar casein, but still widely used. This was an over sight on my part - no biggie, I blame no one, but it was an observation I made of my own accord. I continue to use the whey protein as it's great for flavour, which is something I did stipulate to Andrea upon purchasing it - that I was looking for something for TASTE.

On my blog, I added in a small note that calcium caseinate is a cheaper form of protein often used in coffee creamers, and whilst it's not great for muscle gains, it is great for taste! I don't see the harm in me being honest like this on my own personal blogs. Kindly see the attached link to PHD Researcher Dr Layne Norton who holds a similar view. I was merely repeating his concerns. https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/layne42.htm

Attached is a link to my original post. I had to ban and delete Andrea's comments, although I do have screenshots of her comments if you would like me to send this to you. https://www.facebook.com/fitgirlchen15/?hc_ref=ARS_aKjRkswUd_GY6iv6RquM_iHqSb-ltCuFhNYWAt__Y9KrITyojgSSnUX2U****rE&fref=nf

For some reason, Andrea went on to comment across both my instagram and Facebook accounts that I have gravely offended her with my comments. She insinuated that I can't read properly, and that I shouldn't give my bad opinions and comments even though it was on my own personal accounts.

Her words are in quotations:

"I feel very offended especially from someone who has studied nutrition." What is this meant to mean exactly? That I am stupid? And how has this offended her?

"You should know that you don't use a 5 stage release protein for lean muscle the best will be...." Again, is she insinuating I am stupid? I did make it clear to her I was purchasing the product for TASTE for my recipes.

"If you know how to read your labels and nutritional table on food products then this shouldn't be a problem." Again, is she insinuating I can't read?

"It's really not nice to give negative opinions about something that is not for your lifestyle or body goal." So must I just permanently be happy with everything and be a sheep no matter what I buy? May I not engage in free will? I also suggest you read my original post as it was harmless - it was just a recipe. This attack was not necessary.

Why is it that my private life is so offensive to your employees? Surely what I do outside of Dis-chem, in my own time, is my business? Do your employees often attack and deface others social media and private accounts? Are personal attacks necessary when there is freedom in this world to choose and select your own products? When I select a product from your shelves, do you think it's fine for your employees to watch you and criticise you openly and publically whilst insinuating you can't read?

The fact remains that I shop at Dis-chem very frequently. Must I now be fearful of attack when I walk down your supplement aisle?

I personally feel an apology, and a declaration that I will be left alone when I shop at Dis-chem from this individual is VERY necessary as I find the way she has carried herself in a very confrontational manner was not necessary at all. I actually am worried to shop there again - your products are great, and offer something for everyone, so this type of attack is very confounding to me. Must I just be happy with whatever it is Andrea sells me otherwise I will get "scolded" publically? Is this not s form of bullying?

I have never been harassed like this before where I feel an employee is watching me and judging the choices I make.

Surely this is an invasion of free will and privacy? Do your employees often attack the intellect of your consumers?

Please, I really hope that in good faith, this issue is handled and apology is issued to me as I feel very attacked and undermined for no reason at all even though I have been nothing but friendly to this person.

Please help me to feel safe in your store that I have been shopping in for easily the last 7 years!

Kind regards,

Chennel Jagesur.