Denise Kendrick Target worker at Fargo, North Dakota store fired for wearing Jesus name tag and alleged dress code issue as social media takes aim at company amid questions about what passes for appropriate attire and what a employer ought to tolerate and how they show their bias.
A North Dakota Target store has been forced to issue a grovelling apology after the store faced backlash on social media for firing a female worker who wrote ‘Trust in Jesus’ on her name tag.
Denise Kendrick, an employee of the store in Fargo, said she was fired on November 16 over a ‘dress code issue.’
She put ‘Trust in Jesus’ and a drawing of a cross on her name tag for that shift, only to be approached by a manager who told her she could not wear it, according to KVLY.
Is Target only an equal opportunity employer?
‘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 said.
She said she asked for a reason why she was fired, but was only given a list of information about the dress code policy.
‘I said, “Can I get it in writing why you’re firing me?” and they refused to do that,’ said Kendrick
‘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.’
Kendrick said she was wearing a plain long sleeve red sweatshirt and jeans when she was fired. She said she had been wearing other religious apparel for months and never had an issue.
‘I had no problems with anyone approaching me with my Christian shirts,’ said Kendrick.
According to Target’s policy, ‘Target is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and will make decisions regarding employment opportunities, including hiring, promotion, and advancement, without regard to the following characteristics: race, color, national origin, religious beliefs.’
Social media weighs in
Outrage social media users called Kendrick’s firing discrimination and said it was hypocritical to allow some people to write on their name tags but not her.
‘I don’t shop at Target! I hope that lady sues Target for wrongful termination! I am so sick of the intolerant left! They are all so wretched,’ one Reddit user said.
‘I’m done with target too expensive and their quality is not any better. I’m sick of their left policies. If they’re gonna allow people to put rainbows and pronouns they have no reason not to allow her to put that,’ said a another.
‘How about a simple “you only wear the approved uniform and nothing else” policy. No “flair” or other garbage, just the corporate stuff required,’ a third person said.
Posited another, ‘Equal opportunity employer, if you fit within their agenda and narrative.’
Stated another, ‘Suddenly all of the problems go away. But of course the lefty “feelies” crowd won’t be able to virtue signal if that happens.’
Wrote another, ‘You’d think Target would allow their employees to express themselves. At least that’s what they are giving off, but apparently not.’
That said, there were some who sided with Target, with one commentator on social media musing, ‘Sorry I am with Target on this one. She modified the name tag and they are not denying her right to believe, they are protecting my right as a consumer to be free of someone else’s religion.’
Posted another, ‘If it’s a name tag, then it should only have her name. Anything else is not appropriate. Free speech, yes, but on your own time!!!’
Others, including this author wondered, whether social media would’ve taken up Kendrick’s course had she worn a Palestinian flag, or a Palestinian sweater to work or a motif of a Muslim religious figure?
Following her interview with KVLY, a Target spokesperson released a statement rehiring Kendrick.
‘Upon learning of the situation, we conducted a review and determined that the team member should not have been terminated. We apologized to her and offered to reinstate her immediately,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We are taking the appropriate steps to address the actions taken by the individual leader involved in this situation and are working with the store to ensure our policies are appropriately followed moving forward.’
Kendrick said on Facebook, ‘My job has been reinstated, and yes I will continue to wear “Trust in Jesus” on my name tag.’
