Morrisons worker suspended after wearing poppy and badge in memory of Lee Rigby...
 

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/loc...igby-1-5137550

Disgraceful decision by Morrisons:mad:.

I am very shocked, surprised too that there has been no statement from morrisons.

Not really, he has to wear a uniform at work, his bosses told him he couldn't wear it on his uniform, he should have taken it off, he could still wear it when he's not working

Arses

I'd have to wait for a comment from Morrisons before I pass proper judgement on this because I'd like to understand their reasoning. I'm quite conflicted on this I think. On one hand, sure, he should be allowed to wear it, but then if you allow that, you've similarly got to allow other employees to wear badges of support for other organisations and institutions which perhaps Morrisons may certainly not want promoted? What if another employee wanted to turn up wearing an EDL badge?

On a similar note though but slightly off-topic, I've never understood the strict rules air stewards and stewardesses face regarding their dress codes and how if they have any tattoos, they must be covered up. Now I'd never get a tattoo and am quite indifferent towards them, but I am not offended by them nor would I care if any employee, air stewardess or shop worker, had one. The last thing I care about while I'm waiting for a plane to catch is whether one of the airlines employees has a ****ing tattoo, and anyone that does care needs to get a grip.

I have seen morrisons employees wearing poppies and help for heros bands too, never an EDL badge strangely..... :joker:

I think you've missed the point of my post Kizzy.

Remind me what it was again.

I agree jack

:rolleyes:

Why do you always have to be difficult?

My point was that if they allow one employee to wear a badge of support for a particular cause, then they have to allow every other employee to wear a badge of support for whatever cause they want too, and if that's the EDL, then so be it. And I can't see them allowing someone to wear an EDL badge, can you?

Help for Heroes and the poppy appeal are charities, and apolitical ones, it isn't the same as promoting a group with overtly political and racist aims

What are you rolling eyes for?

''Why do you always have to be difficult?''
I asked for a simple explanation jack.
Like I said it is accepted for employees to wear poppies and bands, they sell them in morrisons...
Do I think it will open the floodgates for fascist employees to support the EDL?... No.

I'm guessing there's more to the story then what's been reported here but even if there isn't then it's his fault for not following the uniform regulations.

I rolled my eyes because you were implying my post had no point. You were being unnecessarily rude.

Also, I'm not actually saying he shouldn't be allowed to wear it, I'm waiting for Morrisons to provide some kind of reasoning first. I'm just seeing both sides of the argument. The liberal side of me says people should be allowed to wear whatever they want, but the other side is that well if Morrisons allow him to wear this, then other employees can (that doesn't mean they will, you're misinterpreting my post) argue that they can wear whatever badge of support they wish too.

You supposed all that from what I posted jack?.... :joker:
I didn't pass comment as I too am waiting for their side, and I misinterpreted nothing... You suggested that other employees may wear other badges in support of their sociopolitical views, I disagree.
Help for heros and the Royal British Legion are charities, I see Morrisons employees with Marie Curie daffodils and breast cancer awareness ribbons too.... What is the difference?

I think at this moment in time with what happened last week and also that the Soldier murdered was wearing a help for heroes shirt that maybe some sensitive tolerance was in order here as to Morrisons.
Many people are looking for ways of showing,for them at any rate, solidarity with the Soldier murdered and his family.
For some laying flowers is the way, others maybe are donating to help for heroes and for some a more public display like wearing t shirts or other clothing with help the heroes on it.

People have been affected by this horrific murder and some feel the need to do or show something, so I feel Morrisons could have been more tolerant for a time as to this and let us hope that it is a one off and no more will take place as to such brutal and barbaric murders.

However, I do also take the view that Jack makes a very strong point as to where do you stop allowing all sorts of other causes being paraded while working.
Lines do have to be drawn I would agree with all that.

On this though, I feel so many in the UK are really outraged at this happening that a little more sensitivity and tolerance to the feelings of those who wish to feel they are doing or trying to do something could have been evident from Morrisons despite them likely having fairly sound reasons for their actions.

Don't see the problem, they gave him a choice and he decided he wanted to be suspended.

I can understand why they wouldn't want him to wear it, and I think the only reason he wanted to wear it was to seek attention for himself, "look at me everybody, aren't I a nice person? please give me attention"

Thats Illegal
while at work.

Don't you mean he wanted Press
and TV interviews?

A supermarket worker has been suspended for wearing a Help for Heroes bracelet and a poppy in tribute to Drummer Lee Rigby, killed in Woolwich last Wednesday

Adam Austin said bosses at the Morrisons store in Portsmouth told him he faced disciplinary action after he refused to remove the items.

The 28-year-old has now been suspended until he attends a meeting with management on Friday

Mr Austin told the Portsmouth News: "I was disappointed and partly furious.

"I have got friends in the army and friends who have been in the army. What with the issue with Lee Rigby, I wore them out of respect."

A Morrisons spokesman explained that staff were generally prohibited from wearing extra items to prevent objects falling into food products

He said: "It's all about food hygiene. The rules are the same in a restaurant kitchen as they are in a supermarket food preparation area.

"We have a dress code and the dress code is primarily around the health and safety of the staff member and the members of the public."

But he added the company had reviewed its guidelines to allow staff in non-food preparation areas to wear a registered charity wristband.

But how this applies to Mr Austin is unclear at present, as he is employed in a fresh food preparation area as well as at the checkouts.

The spokesman added: "We understand that it's important to many people to show support for our armed forces. Morrisons is a long time supporter of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and we welcome Help for Heroes fundraisers into stores.

"As a company we encourage store colleagues to show their support for the Royal British Legion by wearing poppies in October and November.

"We currently ask that colleagues adhere to a company dress code which precludes bracelets and pins. However, we have reviewed these guidelines and colleagues working in non-fresh food preparation areas will now be permitted to wear a registered charity wristband."

A petition has been started on Change.org to allow Mr Austin to wear his tribute to Lee Rigby and force Morrisons to make an apology, donating £20,000 to Help For Heroes

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1160168/th...SONS-570.jpg?6


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...?utm_hp_ref=uk




..I actually think the guy is an idiot...he knew that wearing the pin/wristband was against company policy when working in fresh foods..there were other ways he could have shown respect..but he's tried to make it about himself..and not about Lee Rigsby at all...I don't find what he did respectful, whatsoever..I think it's quite self-centered....

Hmm, I cannot speak for Morrisons but the ASDA store I use,it is amazing what the staff get to wear sometimes there, on 'their' special days/events.

The guy does sound like he wasn't willing to compromise in any way so the suspension would be then right.
They say though,they allow the staff to wear poppies in October and November,well I am pretty sure poppies can fall off rather easily too.
Mine always does anway,no matter what I may be doing.

..yeah, didn't this one have a pin in it though, Joey..?...

So it was quite clear what he was doing was against company policy and he then went and put the band on, to blatently ignore his manager....should be on suspension without pay if anything.

True the badge would have had a pin on it,then again so does a poppy when I wear one but I lose both poppy and pin so it is a good thing I am not ever likely to be employed in food preparation.

I've changed my mind now anyway, taking on board the comments here,particularly yours Ammi, I think he should have just simply removed the badge when told to and not even bothered to start with the bracelet.
He could have made a far greater show of both after his time at work finished really.

Why does everyone have to be so bloody politically correct ? Why can't on this occasion in light of the shocking murder of this serving soldier can somebody just put their hand up in support by wearing these badges.

He was a serving soldier who represented this country and I think we all owe it to ourselves to make our own personal gestures to the memory of this man.

Sometimes the PC brigade need to **** and let people grieve..!!!