Removal of symbol was incorrect, says Eason
AN employee at a popular Co Londonderry retailer was told to remove her poppy on Remembrance Day as it was not part of the company’s uniform.
The woman was working at the Eason store in Coleraine when she was asked by a manager to take it off.
Eason has confirmed that an incident took place, and it is being dealt with internally. A spokesman said a “knee-jerk reaction” was behind the manager asking the staff member to remove their poppy.
He said: “An individual over the weekend was incorrectly told to remove their poppy.
“Eason respects an individual’s choice to wear the poppy and it is not written in the handbook that staff may not wear one.
“An individual manager didn’t think the poppy was suitable to wear at work and asked a staff member to remove it. Eason will ensure that this doesn’t happen again. It was a simple mistake on that manager’s behalf and was an incorrect knee-jerk reaction.
“No employee will be disciplined over this.”
East Londonderry DUP MLA Maurice Bradley said the poppy “should not be politicised”.
“I would call for all those who wish to wear the poppy to wear it in remembrance of those who gave their lives over two world wars and other conflicts,” he said. “It’s an impartial emblem, and those who wish to remember the fallen should be allowed to do so.”