SUFFERED SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN JOHN REED'S GYM. THE GYM DISMISSED THE INCIDENT.
I want to share a case of harassment, and shocking absence of customer service, at John Reed Kreuzberg, Berlin.
The original incident happened on 10th May 2023, at around 0:30. I was using the free-weights area when a man walked towards me and, completely unnecessarily, barged into me. Seemingly unaware of this, he then started using a machine right next to me in a very inappropriate and unwelcome manner: not only moaning loudly, but also doing so while looking directly at me, neither of which he did while using machines further away. Nevertheless, the fixed staring, in a very uncomfortable way, continued for some time. This man was accompanied by two other men; one of whom was dressed in a way that would be against most gym dress codes in my experience - no shirts -, while the other one almost bumped into me as well, looking like he could have been under the effects of alcohol.
After all this, I felt unsafe, and went to the reception, but there were no employees to talk to. Therefore, I told my partner what was happening by phone, and he came to meet me in the gym. We then found one member of the cleaning staff and told him what had happened. He told us that he could not do anything about it, that I should call the police directly if I wanted, and talk to the reception staff the following morning. He also said that there were no cameras in the gym, except for the entrance.
Two days later, on 12th May 2023, around 11:40am, we went to the gym to talk with the manager ("Dima", according to the reception staff), who wasn't there. We told the member of staff on duty what had happened, and he diminished the incident: he said he could do nothing about it; if I wanted to be safe, I should use the women-only area. He also said that at night this kind of guy usually goes to the gym; if I want to feel safer, I should go in the morning instead. He confirmed there are no cameras, with the absurd phrase "we can't", and dismissed any responsibility by just saying that they are "the best chain in the market". As he provided us with neither solution, suggestion, nor even sympathy, my partner and I informed him we wished to cancel our memberships right away - to which he also refused and continued to downplay the seriousness of the situation, by just suggesting we send you an email.
The excuse we were given for having zero security monitoring in your branches was an outright fabrication, given that other large gym chains such as PureGym (UK) and Fit Star (Deutschland) care about it not only with cameras, but also with a strict (and very well advertised, all over every branch) code of conduct, plus 24/7 emergency buttons for any purpose.
I can't imagine how many other members might have experienced similar situations, to no support from the business as a whole, which is indeed liable for situations like this if within its premises.
As if it was not enough, I sent multiple emails asking to cancel my membership immediately and refund the charges. I received no response from the gym even when I signed up online and canceled within the period of the right of withdrawal determined by law.
I genuinely hope no one else has to go through this situation and face John Reed's woefully inadequate reception staff, whose responses to the incident were demeaning and victim-blaming. Many other gyms offer better service and, most importantly, more safety, and where clients are better appreciated. read more