Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55.
“It’s not part of your uniform” the employer said
“I am not taking it off” said the employee
“Then it’s a disciplinary matter” replied the employer
“Do it” said the employee who then reported it to the press.
Now the employer has changed their policy and employees are allowed to wear
remembrance poppies at work.
The employer, Bodycare, actually threatened an employee with disciplinary action if she did not remove the poppy. You can read about it here.
The public and a local MP kicked up such a stink that the company has changed their policy but, I think, only because there were calls for the public to boycott their stores.
How disgusting is it that people are not allowed to support our fallen and injured service personnel?
I despair for this country of mine I really do!
words fail me - as they frequently do where bureaucracy is concerned!
ReplyDeleteI fear it is not just your country. Such things happen here, too.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful. Thank you for highlighting this.
ReplyDeleteSome people just don't think.
ReplyDeleteFlash 55 - Holiday Preparations
makes you wonder doesn't it? great 55.
ReplyDeletePolitical Correctness goes to far here, too...I despair at times, I really do. Does it make me feel any better that you are undergoing much the same? No, in fact it does not. But it heartens me that your Politicians are not afraid to stand up for right...maybe ours will do that one day. Maybe.
ReplyDeletehugs
Sandi
Corporate pressure defies personal freedoms..You can kick them in the pills to no avail, but kick them in the wallet and they give in!
ReplyDeleteIt takes, sadly, some not so nice actions to get things noticed and changed ... to not let someone wear a badge HONORING those who protected you is just hogwash and I am glad the wearer stood up for their rights!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable!?!
ReplyDeleteThat would be like here telling someone they couldn't wear a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon on their uniform.
Great 55, m'dear!
Enlightening.
Have a great weekend!
X
Now that's totally pathetic that they couldn't bend the rules for something like that though with most places that wear uniforms, you DO have to get permission to wear something that isn't part of it first. I wear a uniform to work and I can't just show up with something added to it that is not part of the uniform policy but I'd be willing to bet if we were to ask management if we could do something special, they would most definitely consider it if it were in good taste and for a good reason.
ReplyDeleteThey say that there is no such thing as bad publicity, but it this case I reckon that it was bad publicity. Thankfully common sense prevailed.
ReplyDeleteThere is a little something and an award for you at my blog.
I am getting so fed up with this nonsense & yet a drunken man who peed on a cenotaph might face prison because of what he did. What extreme of points of view though.
ReplyDeleteBTW....I don't condone drunken men peeing on cenotaphs.(Or anywhere else.)
Some people don't deserve the freedom that is only theirs because of the men who fought in the two world wars.
Nuts in May
there was actually a story similar to this, but young man was wearing a button that said something about god (i think it might have been a line from anthem). the company doesn't allow any buttons to be worn with exception of the ones that the companies issue. the young man was fired. i don't know, in this case i think that the employer was w/i their rights to fire the guy, but i would not fire or whatever a person who wore a poppy. it's different in the sense that it's not a religious thing. but that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeletewe get poppies every memorial day and wear them proudly! no one can tell us not to!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Words failed me initially too Flowerpot :(
ReplyDeleteI don't no whether to be relieved or sad about that Quilly :(
Isn't it just Dumdad?
Some people are jobsworths Nessa!
It certainly does Clean & Crazy
Remembrance Poppies are very important here Sandi there's no way they were going to get away with such idiocy!
Quite Buff the thought of the loss of business soon changed their mind! Sad though isn't it? :(
I know, it's diabolical isn't it Daryl?
I expect that to be the next outrage Ron. People here have been told they can't wear a crucifix round their neck!
I understand the rules concerning uniforms Linda but I would expect firms to be asking employees to wear poppies not telling them they can't!
I don't think the publicity did Bodycare any good at all Cheshire Wife and it serves them right.
I so agree with you Maggie, there's no sense to it. I thought what that drunken student did was appalling though and I'm sure his parents are totally ashamed of him.
You have hit the nail on the head there Ciara. The wearing of Remembrance Poppies is just once a year so an exception should be made, after all it is in Remembrance of our war dead.
That's it precisely Bee - everyone should be allowed to wear them at this time of year - and proudly.
The country has gone mad. Such things happen too often nowadays.Ridiculous and terrible, both.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disgrace!
ReplyDeletegreat 55. so glad they stood up, too many would have given in. its a sad reality.
ReplyDeletemine is up.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYears back, I was walking with my daughter when we saw an elderly man get out of his car, which had WWII veteran tags on it. I said hello, mentioned the tags and asked if I could shake his hand--my father had fought in that war. He took my hand then pulled me in for a hug, saying that so few people even remembered or cared anymore...I never forgot that. What a shame, and so sad sad sad, for all of us.
ReplyDelete(Sorry about the deleted comment -- Blogger ate some of the words in it the first time!)
I agree with you Anthony
ReplyDeleteYes it is Mama Zen
Not enough people do stand up and be counted do they Brian?
That sounds like a nice moment for you and the old serviceman Susan. I did a post during the summer about a train trip we took where we sat with two elderly servicement who kept us enthralled with tales from their days in the forces. I thanked them for their service to our country as we bid them goodbye.
So true, Ake....ah well-mines up!
ReplyDeleteWe love it when your 55 shows how really weird real humans are.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people get so stuck on the letter of the law, they lose sight of the bigger picture.
ReplyDeletethoughtful 55...it happens here too with all sorts of issues...the other day someone was telling me about a school that wouldn't put up scary Halloween items, etc. Trying to be politically correct...to WHO?
ReplyDeleteYou will be happy to know that my town is having a Veterans parade tomorrow morning...I'm sure I'll see a lot of poppys on lapels! :)
Some people get caught up in the power trip and miss the point. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to you blog. I live it very much and will be back again soon. Nice to meet you.
xo
A reality 55 eh AKE??
ReplyDeleteExcellent job!!
That employer sure had it's head up it's ASS!
Thank you so much for this great little public service expose'!!
Have a Kick-Ass Week-End...G
That is so disrespectful. Very disappointing to know that there are people like that with distorted thinking.
ReplyDeletenow how do you get my arrow to turn to a butterfly? magic! I am amazed that in the world of Political Correctness! many others are being treated unfair.
ReplyDeleteI TRULY DESPAIR for this country of mine as well.
thanks for the words (oft mine is not fiction too LOL)
I love when people stand up for their beliefs and can't be bullied down! This was nicely done.
ReplyDelete{And they don't always have to be fiction...heaven knows I can't stick to that rule}. :)
Have a great weekend!
LOL! I must do something like that with my Employers! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike
ReplyDeleteHumans are definitely wierd Fandango ;)
Don't they just SAW!
I know all about the PC brigade as I work in a school Lulda :(
Nice to hear your town is having the parade. :)
Yes they do Joanna. Nice to meet you too m'dear. :)
You summed the employer up perfectly G-man! LOL
It is very disrespectfull Sashindoubutsu. Welcome to my blog and thanks for commenting.
:)
Yes PC hurts more people than it protects Boots. I'll pop by your place and let you know how to get a butterfly cursor. :)
I wish more people would stand up for themselves Hope
Are you having problems with your employer Mona? I hope you sort it out if you are. x
Uniform policies are tricky things. I think sometimes it's important for both sides of the issue to be diplomatic and reasonable.
ReplyDeletewow Ake, that really happened up north? what a scumbag business.....
ReplyDeletegreat 55 though..
x
I agree that there has to be a strict code surrounding uniform issues but I think Bodycare were being totally unreasonable saying she couldn't wear the poppy Trav.
ReplyDeleteYep it really happened Marmie - disgusting isn't it?
As you know, my father passed early this year. He was a WWII veteran... these stories sadden me.
ReplyDeleteI wear my poppy, I wear my Dad's Legion sweater... and I'll defend the troops with as much dedication and tenacity as veterans demonstrated when life was hard and freedoms were being trampled.