A transgender former Whole Foods employee has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the popular grocery chain in Manhattan.
21-year-old Victor King claims he was subjected to mistreatment, retaliation and slurs at the Chelsea location in New York City.
From Gothamist:
“…shortly after he began work, his coworkers allegedly began to refer to him as “she,” “her,” or “it”; in one instance described in the suit, his coworker Pria Minickchen told a customer to “give it to he/she/it/whatever it is.” A customer service supervisor named Quadry Scott allegedly told him that “I know you’re not a guy, I am not going to refer to you as a guy,” and King’s Team Leader laughed at that comment, which made King feel like he couldn’t bring his concerns to him, according to court papers.
After months of this behavior and repeated reports to management, King was offered only a position at another Whole Foods for his trouble, which he declined.
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The supermarket chain responded with a statement that read:
“As a company, we have long celebrated diversity and acceptance and have zero tolerance for discrimination. Our diverse and inclusive culture is reflected in our team member base, including our leadership, as well as in community partnerships here in New York City.”
Doesn’t sound like an inclusive situation to us, but it looks like it’s time for the courts to handle that. Watch the story via wochit News below.
Ryan Thomas Murray
I don’t get “IT”
Kevin J Desmond
IDIOT
dwes09
The founder and current CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey is a rabid conservative libertarian. He opposes increased access to healthcare, he opposes unions, he believes climate change is natural, and a good thing. As a libertarian he would not care at all about the treatment of LGBT people in his stores, as that would simply be an expression of the local culture. The corporate statement regarding diversity is about as disingenuous as one can get.
Whole Foods has repeatedly been charged with falsifying the weights of foods sold by weight, as well as other offenses that are perfectly in keeping with Mackey’s belief in uncontrolled capitalism. When people can support farmer’s markets, food co-ops, local produce stores, as well as more ethical chains it amazes me that anyone even goes to Whole Foods.
John Kuehnle
Sad part is I believe it
joeyty
Stay away from New York, I guess.
captainburrito
@joeyty: Is that perhaps a bit extreme?
joeyty
@captainburrito: On Queerty that’s what they say about any other state or country when something happens.
1EqualityUSA
Who ever decided to adhere that black awning onto that beautiful stone building ought to apologize. I hope the employee wins. It seems impossible to prove. Whole Frowns.