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McDonald’s worker in Oakland claims customer who refused to wear mask attacked her

OAKLAND, Calif. — A 19-year-old McDonald’s employee in California has filed a complaint alleging assault and negligence of management after an alleged attack by a customer who refused to wear a mask.

Maria Resendiz, who works at a McDonald’s in Oakland, filed a complaint Monday with the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, SFGate reported. Resendiz said she was attacked June 27 in the drive-thru by a customer after she refused him service for not wearing a mask, the website reported.

Resendiz also alleged several instances of worker abuse by customers and a lack of concern by management for worker safety, according to her complaint.

According to the complaint, Resendiz said she asked the customer to wear a mask, which is required by the restaurant and Alameda County officials. The customer allegedly swore and uttered an ethnic slur, KPIX reported.

The man then allegedly moved his car away from the drive-thru, approached Resendiz at the window on foot and continued to yell at her while banging on the window, SFGate reported. According to her complaint, Resendiz alleged that when she took her hand off the window to call the police, the man opened it and demanded that someone give him the employee’s full name.

According to Resendiz, her manager wrote her name on a piece of paper and was about to hand it to the customer “so he would leave,” when the employee intervened,

“What if he kills me?” Resendiz said, according to the complaint, adding that the manager “was silent.”

Resendiz then said the customer grabbed and slapped her, KPIX reported.

Michael Smith, the owner of the franchise, told Business Insider that safety was a priority and that he was working with Oakland police to investigate the case.

“On Saturday, we learned of an altercation at our San Pablo Avenue restaurant,” Smith said in a statement. “The supervisor on duty called local law enforcement immediately to report the incident. Officers were welcomed into the restaurant to review security footage and are still investigating this matter.”

Resendiz was taken to a hospital and was treated for a hand injury and scratches on her neck, KPIX reported.

“I just want to tell customers not to disrespect us,” Resendiz told Business Insider. “We’re humans as well.”