Springfield teen sent home from Kroger for wearing Kaepernick jersey

[TexasTowelie]

SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield Kroger employee was sent home for wearing a controversial player’s jersey to work at the Derr Road location on Sept. 11.

Elijah Scott, 16, wore a San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick jersey to work at the store last Sunday, but was later sent home after a customer complained about the jersey. Kaepernick is the backup quarterback who has sparked controversy recently by kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner” in protest of racial discrimination across the country.

Scott later posted a snapchat saying he was discriminated against by his employer.

A flier at the store says every Sunday is “NFL Gear Day” when employees should wear jerseys to work. It must be professional and work appropriate, according to Scott’s snapchat photo. The teen later posted a snapchat of the photo, saying, “I broke no rules.”

Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/local/springfield-teen-sent-home-from-kroger-for-wearing/nsZQq/

[font color=330099]If the store is going to encourage their employees to wear football jerseys and other gear then they should have expected for this to happen. Would they send the employee home if someone wore a Johnny Manziel jersey?[/font]

[bluedigger]

1. Kaep's actions have brought his jersey into the realm of political speech.

I think the store was within it's rights to take corrective action. It certainly puts employers in a quandary as to holding such events, which is a shame. Such things have been going on forever, including when I was a contractor for the Federal government, and blaming the first employer to get caught responding to a customer complaint seems like picking at low hanging fruit. Other than sending the employee home for the day there was no punishment, so I think it serves as a good caution for others who seek to politicize the workplace.

[pangaia]

3. "Kaep's actions have brought his jersey into the realm of political speech."

By whom? Not be him.

It is others who have become attached to their own emotional response to something. THEY are the ones putting the reference on his jersey. It is THEIR problem, not the store's or the quarterback's.

[asiliveandbreathe]

2. I wonder if that same csr would complain about Kroger's policy in AZ

No problem they say - wear your gun to the grocery store..

http://momsdemandaction.org/groceriesnotguns/

I saw a guy wearing his gun at my store a couple weeks ago - I let them know, after 20 years I will not be shopping at fry's in AZ - I have switched to Safeway - NO gun policy..

[napi21]

4. Customers can be very weird sometimes. There's no way anyone can

anticipate what dumb thing will tic somebody off. HOWEVER, if any of the stores I shop let their employees wear a gun...I'd sure do the same thing the person in Az. did, Tell the manager if that was their policy, I'll NEVER be back!

[CincyDem]

5. Let's not forget - this Kroger is in the heart of Boehner country.

This is the community where the movie theaters did NOT run Brokeback Mountain or Milk..."subject matter too controversial" is what the press were told.

While I support his right to sit/kneel/whatever...I can see Kroger's point. As an employee, I don't think you actually have freedom of speech when representing your employer. And I'm sure that Kroger heard about if from more than one Trump voter up there. As a result, it is likely that Kroger concluded that this employee's action could adversely impact Kroger's business at that store. Rethugs are notorious for voting with their feet up there.

Kaep took the position that he was willing to accept what, if any, fallout occurred from his actions. Some Denver player lost some low paying endorsements locally due to his kneeling. This kid, at Kroger, got a lesson in Rethug mob rule but he should know the neighborhood he's working in.

Manziel - in SW Ohio...kid could get the chair just cuz it's Cleveland. lol. Seriously though - what about a Ray Rice jersey...think anyone would complain that he was promoting violence against women. Probably not. I'm sure if called on it, most of those asshats up there would just say "black-on-black crime, what can you do???"

Asshats.

[LisaM]

6. Kind of mean spirited of the customer.

What is the point of being so nasty and petty?

[narnian60]

7. Absolutely.

Get a life, please, customer.

[JonathanRackham]

8. At least it wasn't a Buffalo Bills jersey.