Unfair treatment by Virgin Active Constantia

On Monday the 5th of November I had a very unpleasant interaction with an aggressive member at Virgin Active Constantia.

This member threatened, intimidated, used ****phobic slurs, threatened my life and also used extreme foul langue towards me. The member reacted in this way, even though I did not show any aggression or arrogance towards him or did anything to provoke him.

This incident happened with witnesses present and even members that got involved. On three different occasions I asked the member to just leave me alone so I can continue to train. Since this member made real serious threats, I left the training area and went to reception to ask for assistance. The reason which I had to ask for assistance, after this member was shouting and threatening me, that was due to the fact that there was no staff in the whole weights area, in early morning peak time.

When I met with management the same day I made it very clear that I am concerned about my safety since I did not know this member, his history and what he might be capable of. Therefore I requested that I would feel safer if the other member would to make use of another facility for the time being. Yet the club general manager still grated him access and even within the same time that I was in the facility.

The club general manager, Craig Wyngaard requested that myself and the other member should not approach each other or make any contact, which I was very happy with. The following day as I was leaving the Constantia facility the same member approached me. I tried to avoid him but yet he still approached me. I kept on walking and the member made comments and remarks as I was leaving. This all happening, as the club GM is present and seeing it all happen but still allowing it.

As Virgin Active made no effort to take my safety into account and still allowing a temperamental member to interact with me after we had an incident the day before, I realised that I would need to stand up for myself and be responsible for my own safety. I turned around and approached this member as he was making remarks towards me and we briefly exchanged words and I departed from him.

The following day, after Virgin Active issued the outcome of the incident, even though they did not take statements from the staff members that first assisted on the Monday. Virgin Active come to the conclusion that I am an aggressive member that intimidates other members. They issue me with the same warning as the member that made these treats and used foul langue towards me.

1.) In 2010 or 2011, I was in a similar incident where a member just said to me only threatened me once. The GM of the club at the time, suspended the member’s access immediately until the investigation was finished. Now, being involved in a much more serious incident, the club manager makes no effort to ensure my safety.

2.) How is it, that I get treated the same as a member that threatens, intimidates, uses ****phobic slurs and as well as extreme foul langue towards other members? When I was the one that tried to defuse the situation. Then again, this is the same Virgin Active facility that lets their own employees used ***ually foul langue towards members for no reason. This separate incident happened even the manager and other staff members present as witnesses. Even though I filled a complaint at the time, nothing came from my complaint and the Virgin Active employee continued to work at Virgin Active as per normal.

3.) Why did the club GM of Constantia allow the member to approach me on the Tuesday after he requested that both of us avoid each other?

4.) To date, and it’s been a week since the incident, Virgin Active has made no effort to have the member apologise to me for his behaviour. Therefore, to my understanding, Virgin Active finds this type of behaviour as acceptable. Again, the member was only issued with a warning letter indicating the rules of Virgin Active and what they consider as acceptable behaviour.

It needs to be clear, my complaints is not towards to member from the incident on the 5th of November. My complaints is towards the Virgin Active Constantia and specially its management staff.