Male Planet Fitness Employee Fired After Walking Into Woman’s Changing Room

US

A woman has shared an unpleasant experience that left her shaking and in floods of tears on TikTok.

In a video that has racked up 1.4 million views, Tiffany, 30, (@theunapologetictiff) is noticebly upset as she explains what happened in the changing room of the Planet Fitness gym in Lodi, California on June 28. She states that she attends the gym three days per week and has never had a problem before but a male employee was in the women’s changing rooms and saw her without a shirt or bra on.

She told Newsweek: “He looked at my body, looked at my eyes, then left.”

“I just feel really violated that he saw me,” she said during the video that has 139,000 likes.

Two screenshots from the viral video showing how distraught Tiffany was by the incident.

TikTok/@theunapologetictiff

Tiffany, who prefers not to disclose her last name, informed Newsweek that she has subsequently canceled her gym membership.

A spokesperson for the franchisor told Newsweek: “At Planet Fitness, the safety and privacy of our members is a top priority, and we take these matters very seriously. The local franchise group investigated the situation and determined the team member did not follow company policy and was terminated as a result.”

Tiffany has since shared a couple of videos about the incident, in which she claims that the male toilets were not in use which is why male employees were allowed to use the women’s restroom. But to get there, they had to go through a women’s only zone.

She has also responded to a comment that asks, “does he identify as a woman?” During the video, she says, “I can tell you about this individual is that he does appear to be a male.”

The gym’s fitness policy online says: “Planet Fitness does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any person on its premises on the basis of race, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other basis protected by law. All members will have access to restroom and locker room facilities that correspond to their self-reported gender identity to the extent permitted by applicable law.”

The ordeal has angered many on the internet and over 18,000 users have commented.

“You’re not dramatic, your feelings are valid,” said one user and another agreed: “It’s a VERY big deal! I’d be livid!”

“Wouldn’t get my business anymore!” said a third commenter.

A fourth pointed out: “People are supposed to announce they’re going to enter locker room or restroom and put a sign on the door I believe warning people that someone is in there.”

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