THERE ARE NO SAFE SPACES FOR FEMALES OR MINORS AT PURE GYM
Above is a link to PureGyms TrainSafe Policy. They did not adhere to any part of this policy during their ‘internal investigation’ of my complaint. Nor when I initially put in my complaint.
Again there is no mention of DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) or the fact that their ’employees’ are Self employed.
A Cautionary Tale
Although PureGym promotes a policy of Train Safe.
In my personal experience this is not the case.
I have experienced being profiled by a male PT staff member.
He followed me into the female toilets/ changing/ showering area multiple times.
He continually tried to poach me from PureGym for one on one training. (Despite me being a qualified trainer)
He continually fixated and watched me when I attended PureGym whilst both on and off his Shift.
He persistently approached me, or came into my personal space despite covid social distancing rules, me finding a quiet room or corner alone and wearing large headphones to deter unwanted social interaction.
He would comment on my appearance and after I initially mentioned his behaviour to a Manager he began to berate me for using Gym equipment.
He then reported me misusing equipment on days that I was not even present at the Gym.
When reporting all of this to the attending Manager the Manager failed to follow company policy and instead sided with my harasser.
The Manager deliberately gas-lit me by informing me that the issue was being dealt with and if my harasser continued to persist to inform him directly. When I did as the Manager requested he joined in and escalated the situation.
The Manager shouted at me and threatened that he would block my Pin and laugh at me in court – All in front of my harasser and all of this was recorded by me on audio, PureGym also had access to their CCTV but were not interested in following protocol.
I pursued legal recourse, and when Pure Gym submitted their documents to me, it was more than evident that no serious investigations had taken place and that both the Manager and PT had lied in their statements. The Manager referred to me as a completely different individual.
Whilst conducting my own research I have found many concerning issues regarding PureGym and most specifically their Business model.
DBS Checks
is a requirement in jobs/professions that requires direct close contact with the public, specifically young peopleDBS Disclosure
No information regarding DBS checks can be located anywhere on PureGyms website, nor is anything posted around the gym, or in any of the communications or documentation I have had with PureGym including my sign up, documents PureGym have provided in disclosure, specifically their safe space policy or conversations with Management when initially putting in my complaint
Age Restrictions
The minimum age requirement to sign up for a PureGym membership in the UK is 16 years old. Anyone who works with, or is in potentially close contact wit MINORS is required to be DBS checked.NOT ADULTS
The fact that PureGym employees have the freedom and are encouraged to poach clients for one on one training, enter opposite sex changing/showering areas and have access to CCTV cameras should raise questions.
Coupled with the many complaints of numerous shared themed sexual Harassment allegations encountered by female Customers at PureGym (here)
In my case the harassment I experienced also occurred whilst the staff member was not wearing uniform and was off shift.
Safe Spaces
Where are the Safe Spaces in PureGym. Self Employed Male Staff are required to frequent the female changing areas including shower and toilet cubicle areas.TrainSafe ???
When Female ‘cutomers’s try to find a quiet secluded spot, in my experience PureGym have no issues with male staff Members persistently following, intimidating and invading their personal space even if the male staff member is off shift and has been warned by the duty Manager to keep a distance.
Own Boss??
Buried in PureGyms Career website pages it is clear that the PureGyms Personal Trainers and Fitness coaches are in fact self employed.Self Employed
PureGym ’employees’ are employed by PureGym but by all accounts are self employed.
They operate at PureGym to primarily run their own business. So when a customer takes up training with a PureGym Personal Trainer, that Personal Trainer is in fact operating under their own business. This would include training one on one outside of PureGym.
There is no documentation that explains this to a Customer.
Remember customers can be MINORS.
Poaching
The minimum age requirement to sign up to PureGym in the UK is 16 years oldFAIR GAME
PureGym’s staff who are in fact self employed, are encouraged by PureGym to poach customers.
Even if this encroaches on the customers personal space or they have declined or not made enquires for such services. It is literally in their contract that they will have access to PureGyms clients.
CCTV
Sensitive data privileges including access to PureGyms CCTV Cameras are given to someone who does not appear to be DBS checked, operates his own business from PureGym premises, accesses Female toilets and is encouraged to approach PureGym members.PureGyms self employed possibly none DBS checked staff have access to the CCTV cameras on site.
Usually a controller only has these privileges, as there can be a serious breach of Data Protection issues.
In my case this explained why this particular male member of staff always knew where I was, knew my routine, and felt so confident to continually enter the Female Toilets whilst I was alone in there.
Again PureGyms minimal age requirement is 16 Years old.