Why was Whole Foods Doing the Worst Targeting Remembrance Day Poppies?
When I first heard the headline that Whole Foods was banning all employees – including staffers above the 51st parallel – from wearing poppies this year I was a bit confused. “Can’t wear a poppy at work?” I asked out loud to the ether. Why?
In an effort to evaluate my knee jerk reaction I tried to give the benefit of the doubt. A Californian established company doing business in Canada may be out of loop with our customs. Perhaps there are some kinks to still work out? Or maybe there’s a reason I have yet to understand?
It didn’t take me much longer – let’s say one and a half minutes - to come to the realization that this wasn’t a cultural slight, no, it was a deliberate action to ensure employees appear unpolitical at all times. To work at Whole Foods, head office wants the employees to appear completely neutral.
A New York Times article shares the Whole Food dress code policy below:
Whole Foods’ dress code prohibits visible slogans, messages, logos and advertising that are not company-related on any article of clothing.
A statement from the company said its dress code policy is meant to “prioritize operational safety” and to keep the focus on customer service.
Opposite to Office Space, Whole Foods wants zero points of flare on the employees. What a way to insult Stan.
By “customer service” I assume they mean be pleasant, be seen, and be completely neutral. If we have learned anything from 2020 is that appearing neutral can be devastating. Shutting up and putting up is a desire of corporate policies past. Silence is complacency and silence can kill. Ultimately, walking around like neutral mannequins or organic produce stuffed zombie serves the continued - mostly white - dominance in spaces.
As a society we can forget from time to time what can be politicized – a reminder that race, sexuality, gender, religion, and age are all no go’s, they’re human rights Canucks – so if staffers want to show support for one of those things, it’s humanity at stake, not a political policy or platform. Hard question for the fellow conscious consumer out there: if brands aren’t already taking a stand on human rights issues – the opposite of being neutral – then why are we buying from them?
Back to the Poppy, it’s not like wearing one says anything other than, “I remember Canada’s Veterans fight for human rights.” Thinking deeper, I’m not really sure why it fell under the no-go policy to begin with.
With the canvassing limitations with Covid-19 social distancing this year, Canada’s Veterans have been restrained from their typical fundraising efforts. It’s a low blow. Without the much-needed funds, their abilities to:
… support the well-being of Veterans and their families, and to promote recognition and remembrance of the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace…
Is severely impacted. It’s the worst.
Canadians have few, border to border visibly unifying elements to our culture. Remembrance Day events and wearing poppies are one such humble thing. Wearing Poppies to show our support and respect for those who fought for our world, country, and neighbours right to live freely has never been more necessary. It’s a reminder of where we’ve been, how far we’ve come, and the need to stay vigilant. Our country needs to stay alert because some prick – in this case a Californian who doesn’t really know us – may try and infringe on our humanity.
Whole Foods trying to squash the Poppy is not a good look. It reminds me of how poorly they handled staffers wearing Black Lives Matter face masks just a couple months ago.
They’ve since reversed the ban on poppies and masks, but do they actually get it?
