Comments on: Wiccan ex-barista sues Starbucks over religion

by: wraith

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:09:38 +0000

Not so much, really… Ms. Hedum’s “minor tardinesses” that were “scrutinized” in the first article, go WAY beyond minor. She was, on average, more than 15 minutes late twice a week, and would call out on less than 2 hours notice twice a month or more. And for the record, there was another (very) openly pagan (I’m not certain of her path) who worked at the very same Starbucks (and was good friends with Hedum) without incident or complaint for many months more than Hedum. I’ve also known a great many Starbucks employees, from baristas up through district managers who are openly pagan and have never had an issue or complaint (other than the occasionaly old crispy christian customer who can drop dead for all that it mattered).

Ms. Hedum’s issues with Starbucks is more that she has little sense of priorities, and like to spend a wee bit too much time in the bottle if you catch me.

by: Jarred

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:30:30 +0000

Incidentally, there have ben significant updates to this story as of today. For example, it's been revealed that the discrimination suit also involves a workman's compensation case:

She alleged that after she hurt her wrist at work in August 2005, the store failed to provide a workers' compensation claim form. She alleged she was dismissed after she refused to come into work because a store manager would not assign her to light duty work as recommended by her doctor.

Also, the good folks at OrgeonLive has made a copy of Hedlum's complaint available from their site.

by: real_magick1970

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:34:55 +0000

@ Lomarcan

I hear Dunkin Doughnuts’ coffee is excellent.

by: Lomarcan

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:34:56 +0000

Wow. This one throws me on a real moral fence. I’m tempted to boycott ‘Bucks because of this, but I am a caffeine addict…the point is semi-moot, since the nearest one is 50 miles away from here! I guess I’ll still go there if there’s no other choice, but I’ll have my pentacle hanging proudly around my neck, and if they give me shit about it, well, 3 times the shit back to ‘em.

Lomarcan

by: Jarred

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:44:22 +0000

I certainly hope that this matter turns out to be as easy to investigate and discover the truth as you suggest, Megan.

by: randy

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:39:16 +0000

I’m sorry but this is just wrong the starbucks here actually lets us have meetings in thier store and does
not seem to mind. If it is a matter of business that they let us stay there it is one thing but to say that you cant be here because of your belief that is wrong and i would call also

by: Megan

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:28:14 +0000

This saddens me, especially with it happening in Oregon. As a Wiccan and a former Starbucks employee I was never discrimated against. Luckily, Starbucks requires their stores to keep emaculate records so if she was truly a bad employee and was fired for that, each instance will have been reported and she would have had to sign every form to acknowledge the problem. If it was discrimination, then that will be obvious too. There is nothing in the Starbucks company dress code that prevents a person from wearing a sign of religion. I wore many wiccan religion symbols to work every day and was never told to remove it.
Truthfully i believe this is a problem with the manager of that store rather than the company that is actually very accepting. But if there was any discrimination, they’ll be able to find it.

by: Vulpus

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:14:34 +0000

She did the right thing. We should stand by our beliefs. I am not Wiccan, but I support everyone’s freedoms.

If we’re to make a place for ourselves, we’re going to have to stand up. We’re going to have to let these people know we aren’t a bunch of little pussies who’ll scurry back into church once told to take of our symbols. We’re here to stay, and the more we stand up for ourselves, the better!

by: darkness

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 21:10:31 +0000

i think she did good to sue starbucks for the discrimination
hopefully companys and shops will think twice beafore harrasing peoples religion.

by: Jarred

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:21:54 +0000

It’s quite possible, Yawn. But then again, that’s also the kind of “official reason” that employers give to hide a decision to terminate employment due to discrimination. Based on the severe lack of information, it’s impossible to say whether this is an unhappy ex-employee trying to get revenge for a rightful termination or a legitimate case of discrimination.

However, it should be noted that this wouldn’t be the first time the a Starbucks barista was harassed over Pagan jewelry. As such, the matter certainly bears further investigation.