La. lawmakers to debate bill strengthening protections for retail, food service workers

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Lawmakers will debate a bill Monday (Apr. 20) that could give stronger protections for employees behind the counter.

House Bill 1238 would create more fines and jail time for workplace violence against retail or food service workers.

The measure also calls for Louisiana Works to create signs that businesses can put up letting customers know the consequences of violence against employees, which would be simple assault or simple battery charges.

Harsher penalties include a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail for simple assault, or a $2,000 fine and up to two years for simple battery.

State Rep. Dixon McMakin said incidents of workplace violence are common in Baton Rouge.

“Seems like all the time here in Baton Rouge, we have those reports of people going after someone for a minuscule thing. And it’s just ridiculous,” McMakin said.

McMakin said the bill sends a message about consequences for crossing the counter.

“You know, you go to a store and you order an ICEE, and then you throw that ICEE in someone’s face. I want it to be known, if you go beyond the counter, there’s someone behind the counter, you’re on this side of the counter. If your actions now affect that person on that side of the counter, we’re going to up the game on you a little bit. No longer should you go against that person on the other side of the counter,” McMakin said.

Frederique Bekale, owner of Cookies by Freddie, said she has not had aggression or complaints from customers since starting her business.

“I have not had aggression or complaints just yet. People have left comments, oh, they thought it was not too moist. So thankfully, you know, I have not had that yet,” Bekale said.

Bekale said she supports the measure and hopes it makes more customers respect employees.

“You’ve got to treat people with respect, no matter what’s going on, no matter if your order is wrong, if you don’t like it. You can’t treat people with disrespect. Cursing, I’ve seen people hit, you know, fast food workers. Yeah, that’s fair and acceptable, so they should definitely go to jail for severe consequences,” Bekale said.

The measure will be on the House floor for a vote Monday.

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