Roommates, popular grocery store chain Publix just made a very firm stance regarding the #BlackLivesMatter movementand many employees are pretty unhappy about it. The company just announced that all employees are officially banned from wearing any #BlackLivesMatter paraphernalia while working.
18-year-old Florida Publix employee, Quinton Desamours, said he was sent home for wearing a face mask with the lettersBLM on it, which represent #BlackLivesMatter. Desamours told local media outlets that he was speechless when his assistant manager pulled him aside to talk about his face mask, which is now required for all employees to wear following the coronavirus outbreak.
He said his assistant manager informed him the he couldnt wear it. He told me the company hasnt issued a statement and that he doesnt know if theyre pro or con on the issue, and that I am endangering myself and everyone who worked there.
Desamours decided that his commitment to #BlackLivesMatter was much important than his job:
Today Publix sent me, a Publix employee home for having BLM written on my mask. The assistant store manager told me he doesnt know if the company is Pro or Con. I will no longer be working for Publix. Stand for something or youll fall for anything!
A Publix spokesperson said the company stands behind its decision to ensure awelcoming work and shopping environment. Publix has a policy that prohibits all non-Publix messaging on uniforms, so spokeswoman Maria Brous explained that Desamours was violating that policy.
She continued, adding:
At Publix, we reject racism and believe diversity makes our company and our community better. Our focus remains on ensuring a welcoming work and shopping environment for all associates and customers. Our uniform policy does not permit non-Publix messaging on clothing or accessories.
However, that policy only became known to the public when Desamours tweeted about it June 6th.
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