By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-23 23:35:54 | Updated at 2024-11-24 02:28:54
2 hours ago
Target is being blasted by supporters of an employee who was callously fired after writing “Trust in Jesus” on her name tag.
Denise Kendrick’s jaw dropped when her employer told her she’d be getting sacked — under the guise of a dress code violation.
“I replied, ‘Well, I’ve seen people with rainbows on theirs. I’m going to continue to wear this name tag,’ and then they said, ‘Well, you can’t work here anymore,’” Kendrick told a local broadcaster.
When Kendrick clapped back asking for the decision in writing, she said that her manager at the Fargo Target store in North Dakota “refused.”
“They gave me this paper with all these phone numbers on it and said, ‘If you have any questions about the violation of the dress code, just call one of these numbers.’ And he just kept repeating it, and we just kept going back and forth, and it was going nowhere,” she said.
Kendrick said that she’d never had a problem wearing other items that advertised her faith.
Backers rallied to her defense online, calling the mammoth retailer an institution built on “lefty policies.”
“I’m sick of their left policies,” on Reddit user seethed.
While other commenters urged Kendrick to seek legal advice.
“Sue them for all the back pay, then take a 2 week vacation, and finally quit on them,” another Reddit user posted.
Target trumpets itself as being a “equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination.”
It says it “will make decisions regarding employment opportunities, including hiring, promotion, and advancement, without regard to the following characteristics: race, color, national origin, religious beliefs.”
One critic pointed out the hypocrisy of the policy and encouraged her to take action.
“Religious discrimination is a serious ethical issue that is protected by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. I hope she refuses the re-hire and sues TF outta them,” the Reddit user sniped.
Others took a neutral stance calling for an end to all personal tweaks to Target’s uniforms.
Target did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The $56 billion company did release a statement following the incident to local television stations saying they’d reviewed the situation and Kendrick “should not have been terminated.”
“We apologized to her, offered to reinstate her immediately, and are pleased that she is back working in our store,” the statement read.
Target also said “appropriate steps” are being taken by the “leader” involved in the termination.
The company is working with the Fargo store to make sure its policies are “appropriately followed” in the future.
Kendrick was also approached by The Post but did not immediately respond.
“My job has been reinstated, and yes I will continue to wear ‘Trust in Jesus’ on my name tag,” she wrote online.
