Whole Foods Workers Sue Over Right To Wear Black Lives Matter Masks
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Whole Foods workers are suing the chain after they were allegedly punished for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement by wearing face masks with slogans to work.
The lawsuit claims Whole Foods fired an employee and punished roughly 40 others for wearing Black Lives Matter masks at work. The suit was filed in a Massachusetts district court on Monday on behalf of 15 workers at six stores.
Per ABC News, Whole Foods’ dress code notes that any slogans or labels unrelated to the company are banned, however, the employees noted that this rule was only enforced once they started wearing clothing in support of the BLM movement.
“Employees have worn pins or flags supporting their LGBTQ colleagues with no repercussions. Another employee wore a pin that said ‘Lock him up,’ which could be interpreted as political,” said Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
“Whole Foods was not enforcing its so-called dress policy until its employees started putting on their Black Lives Matter masks. That’s discrimination against Black employees and other employees who are supporting their Black coworkers and advocating for them in the workplace,” she said
A Whole Foods rep has denied the allegations.