According to a lawsuit filed Wednesday, a Whole Foods employee in Boulder, Colorado feels she faced ongoing discrimination due to her sexual orientation — all at the hands of a supervisor who made fun of her clothing, her Crocs in particular.
“She told me that I looked ‘unfuckable,'” Jennifer Johnston tells CBS4. “And that only gay people wear Crocs, which I took offense to.”
Related: Trans Whole Foods Employee Referred To As “It” Files Discrimination Lawsuit
Johnston claims that when she complained to management, she was basically punished for doing so: the general manager wrote her up for playing music with “profane language,” which Johnston vehemently denies.
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“It made me feel awful,” Johnston says. “I loved working for Whole Foods … it was really disappointing when I wasn’t supported back when I always supported them.”
Related: Whole Foods Goes Gay
She says the discrimination is what ultimately led her to resign. Now, she’s requesting back pay in addition to damages.
Whole Foods Market, which is currently investigating the incident, told CB4 in a statement that “discrimination in any form is unacceptable to Whole Foods Market. We were notified of this filing and are looking into the situation.”
While we’re sorry to hear about Johnston’s woes, we’re pleased to read how Jezebel wrapped up their coverage:
“Gay people, of course, are not the only ones who wear Crocs. The monstrosities are popular among people with terrible taste in footwear of all orientations.”
PolishBear
Well THIS Gay person has never worn Crocs.
scotshot
@PolishBear: I looked at a pair once and was horrified.
jdboston617
What’s listed in the article is simply not enough to demonstrate true discrimination, poor taste and bad management,potentially yes, but discrimination, it is not reading to be the case. Discrimination is a serious LGBT concern and reality. But what I am reading isn’t enough to prove that, however, I may be missing some fact. But few silly “bad humor” comments can be easily misconstrued as discrimination. For example, if my boss said, I looked “unfuckable” one day, I would laugh and not think twice about it. The comment about crocs, is another ridiculous concern. Is that it? Not enough.
Was she harassed? Unsafe working conditions? Truly ridiculed? Denied access/rights? Denied promotion? What actions did management take when she complained? Saying that she was punished/retaliated for her profane music isn’t enough, nor answering the question, because, maybe it was profane music and unrelated.
Just saying…
Poloboy50
This article doesn’t make sense.
1. A General MGR would never be involved with this kind of situation; that’s for Department Mgr’s.and HR.
2. If my boss told me I looked unfuckable, I’d haul my ass right in to HR. If a friend said it I’d laugh, but not a boss.
3. I don’t get the playing loud music thing; what employee at Whole Foods is playing any music. Unless there in the warehouse away from the public.
4. Most important; No Gay person would EVER be caught in Croc’s
Gates
That’s pretty funny because I’ve never seen a gay person wear crocs. I do like to make fun of rednecks wearing them. I would expect them to make fun of me if I wore them.