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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSouth Dakota teen claims manager forced him to wear ‘Gaytard’ name tag at fast food job
A South Dakota teen said his manager forced him to wear a demeaning nametag while working at his fast food job.
Tyler Brandt said his boss had been verbally abusive to him since the 16-year-old began working at a Mexican restaurant in Yankton, reported KELO-TV.
Ive been very vulnerable, and Ive been allowing him to say things to me that shouldnt be said, and after a while I was just worried about being terminated from my position at Taco Johns, the teen said.
The verbal abuse escalated, the teen said, and the manager pulled him into his office and gave Brandt a nametag that read Gaytard.
I put it on because I didnt want to upset him, and I felt that if I did do anything to upset him, it would cause me to lose my job because hed be looking for ways to fire me, Brandt said.
The teen said he tried taking off the nametag several times, but the manager forced him to wear it all day in front of customers.
I would always stay behind the till so they couldnt see the name tag, Brandt said. I didnt want them to see it, but even though they couldnt see it, he would still call me by the name across the store and customers would notice.
He decided to quit the following day, after talking with some friends, and he said the manager asked for the nametag back.
A friend described the situation in a post on Taco Johns Facebook page, and that post was shared across social media.
More here and watch the video at: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/26/south-dakota-teen-claims-manager-forced-him-to-wear-gaytard-name-tag-at-fast-food-job/
Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)so I will reserve judgment.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Horrible behavior. He should sue, but he should have quit immediately after hearing one thing. This is South Dakota afterall where unemployment is pretty much zero. They are begging for workers and paying them 15 to 20 bucks an hour start. He can do better and should. Get out of that place immediately and contact a lawyer.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)jmowreader
(50,453 posts)The yellow area is where the oil is.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)That is really neat to see where the area is. I don't even know why I thought South Dakota. Typing without thinking.
jmowreader
(50,453 posts)The oil patch is centered on Williston, ND, which is nearly in Canada. This moran is in Yankton, SD, which is on the Nebraska border. It's 650 miles between the two.
liberalhistorian
(20,809 posts)information from? That is absolutely NOT true. We have some of the lowest wages in the nation for even professional positions. Many here in SD have to work two jobs just to make ends meet, and the use of food stamps by the working poor has been greatly increasing. And our dipshit legislature would rather pass resolutions to impeach Obama for stupid bullshit reasons (are there any other kind where that subject is concerned?) than do anything about the wage situation. Of course, they can vote to increase THEIR legislative pay, while still expecting everyone else to, as they say, "make do with what they have".
You might be thinking of North Dakota, where the oil boom has caused an explosion of need for workers and where, yes, even fast food workers are being offered the wages you are citing. We ARE two different states, you know. Entirely different in many ways.
And as far as low unemployment here-yes, that's true. That is, if you don't take into account the state's nine Indian reservations, most of which have more than eighty percent unemployment and third-world conditions. I know, because I'm a white gal living on one who's lived on several others in the state due to hubby's jobs. But this state doesn't give a shit about the reservations and never includes them in their trumpeting of and crowing about the three percent unemployment for the rest of the state.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I was....sorry!
liberalhistorian
(20,809 posts)and want more information and verification as to its veracity. However, living in the state, and having recently moved from that area of it to another, I know full well the Neanderthal, hateful anti-gay attitudes still too prevalent here and would have no trouble at all believing in the truth of this.
marym625
(17,997 posts)ACLU filed charges with the EEOC 2 days ago
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025582752
randys1
(16,286 posts)Shrike47
(6,913 posts)leftcoastloon
(20 posts)No sarcasm tag needed. It is perfectly legal.
randys1
(16,286 posts)You see, being Gay in America you have no protections in the workplace for discrimination, I am pretty sure
Initech
(99,915 posts)randys1
(16,286 posts)Initech
(99,915 posts)But still that's pretty significant.
randys1
(16,286 posts)In America there are tens of millions of Americans who deeply, viciously hate Gays and minorities of all kinds.
They are ALL Teapartiers and GOP and a few dems maybe, pretty much all libertarians are just minority hating assholes who want to get high...
This is an UGLY country, a country where rightwing politicians are so excited to kill Black prisoners that they will use ANYTHING to do it with, even if it might not work.
They love to kill Black prisoners, guilty or not.
Hell, the UN is needed in Detroit otherwise mass disease will break out and thousands will die without water.
If you are a righty, you hate America and you hate Jesus
You love a white america, granted, but you hate any other kind
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)To claim that it is true gives warrant to other bigots to continue being bigots.
randys1
(16,286 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)people. We all moved from a RW state because it was just a disgusting place and getting worse. When they want to deny medical care to LGBT, that's a huge warning sign written on the white board. There, they shit on all kinds of people, LGBT is just one of many discriminated against.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)employment and housing. Legal. No Federal protections at all. What's twisted is that most Straight people don't even know this. Because they don't care.
Where do YOU live?
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)It is, however, a pretty basic civil rights matter.
johnnypneumatic
(599 posts)it is only for those doing business with the federal government.
It has been on his desk for a year, while many urged him to sign, but he refused. But now it is being rewritten, and the press secretary won't say what revisions are being made. Sen. Orren Hatch asked the President to include huge exemptions for religious entities, such as are in the Enda bill passed by the Senate.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Discrimination and harassment are two different things. Examples of discrimination would be firing a person because they're gay, refusing to hire someone because they're gay, refusing to promote someone because they're gay, etc.
Harassment is abuse in the work place, and has been illegal concerning every worker for a very long time. Examples of harassment are things like verbal abuse of a worker, intentionally humiliating a worker, physical or sexual abuse of a worker, etc.
Further, the executive order you speak of is specific to federal contractors/sub-contractors and is about discrimination, not harassment since harassment of any worker for any reason has been illegal for a very long time.
http://www.govexec.com/contracting/2014/06/executive-order-will-ban-contractors-discriminating-against-gay-employees/86515/
A flurry of news reports on Monday said President Obama has directed staff to prepare an executive order to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
A White House official told The Huffington Post that the order would "build upon existing protections, which generally prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin."
-----
As for the story in question, what the boy alleges is not discrimination but harassment, and what he described was unusually abusive. If it occurred as he claims what was done to him has been illegal for a very long time for ANY worker.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Businesses just have no moral standards anymore. One of the reasons I prefer to work for very small businesses since they're much more likely to have "old fashioned" values of common decency. But they can also be far worse than the bigger businesses, so it's really just luck of the draw. Generally speaking, all workers these days are usually treated like crap.
What really sucks about discrimination in the work place is that more often than not it's impossible to prove even if the worker actually discovers it at all which is more likely. Businesses are very good at hiding their discrimination and having plausible excuses as to why you weren't hired, were fired, didn't get the promotion, get most of the crap duties, etc.
Despite Obama signing this executive order not much will likely change because those worker being discriminated against aren't likely going to know about it in the first place.
RKP5637
(67,032 posts)shit about employees, it's all in the bottom line numbers and profit $$$$$. At one time some companies had integrity, but many companies are now shit holes, not all, but many.
RKP5637
(67,032 posts)liberalhistorian
(20,809 posts)He has no jurisdiction to make that a law for private workplaces in states, unfortunately. So the poster, is sadly enough, quite correct in saying that such discrimination is perfectly legal in this state. Remember, there's moral and then there's legal. The two are often not the same thing. It was once perfectly legal to segregate races and discriminate against and oppress non-whites in many areas of the country where it was established practice. Here in South Dakota, the GLBT has no legal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, education, etc., and the legislature has even been introducing hateful bullshit bills to tighten policies against them even further.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)What the manager did was 100% legal under South Dakota law. There are a couple of counties and a couple of cities in South Dakota that do offer some employment protection, but Yangton is not in either of those counties.
What this manager did, if it did in fact happen, is completely legal.
I do hope it turns out to be a true story since it could serve to demonstrate how the LGBT community is discriminated against nationwide with almost no legal protection.
randys1
(16,286 posts)have what laws in this regard.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Just Wikipedia LGBT rights in <state name> It's usually very accurate and well sourced except those rare occasions when a page gets vandalized.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)No marriage equality, but also no discrimination in employment, housing, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Colorado
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)randys1
(16,286 posts)and hate anyone who does not look and smell exactly like them
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)nt
Egnever
(21,506 posts)So painting straight people as ignorant as if they are special in that regard seems pretty silly.
And many of us do care and have cared for a long time. America is nothing like it was when it comes to gay rights even ten years ago forget about 20 there is still a long way to go to be sure but the change that has happened in my lifetime came from a whole lot of straight people caring. With more caring every day.
RKP5637
(67,032 posts)and given endless electrical shock therapy, and that was on the coast. It's far from perfect, but it's a lot better. I think many straight people see this as a civil rights issue and are supportive of LGBT. And, sex is a continuum. Few people fall into the extremes.
liberalhistorian
(20,809 posts)that the majority of this state still wouldn't give a shit if it were true, there's still enough anti-gay hate here as to make it more the norm than not. It's slowly changing, but the key word is slowly.
clarice
(5,504 posts)alphafemale
(18,497 posts)I'm not falling for these BS stories anymore.
marym625
(17,997 posts)ACLU filed charges 2 days ago with the EEOC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025582752
REP
(21,691 posts)That the 16 yr old didn't immediately take a cellphone pic of it makes me suspect it might be. I hope it is and he wasn't really treated so shamefully.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)There's no way of knowing who made the tag, whether or not he wore it at all, and if he did that it wasn't his own idea. Frankly, the tag looks totally homemade, and there's no way of knowing if he made it himself, made it as a joke, made it in order to perpetuate a hoax or what. The existence of the tag is proof of nothing, yet he holds it up to the camera with a solemn look on his face as if it's evidence of his claims when it isn't evidence of anything.
Where is even one single witness to this abuse that backs up his claims? Where are surveillance tapes of this abuse? Nowhere.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)This is what most of the country votes for. When people on DU say 'you have plenty of rights' this is what they are supporting, what they want. When DU folks say 'there is only one right you don't have' they are lying.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)A poster who says 'there is only one right you don't have' is very pertinent to a thread about workplace discrimination.
Sorry if that offends you.
REP
(21,691 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)This is what it says atop the post you are incorrectly chiding me for:
Response to WinkyDink (Reply #25)
Thu Jun 26, 2014, 12:21 PM
So not sure what your issue is here.
REP
(21,691 posts)Just wanted to be sure that no one that I was one of the DUers you were "quoting" as I am not.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)for equality?
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)bring their own version of hatred IMO. Fortunately, many get weeded out, eventually.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Looks more like to me that the kid got fired and made up this story in retaliation.
http://www.yankton.net/community/article_b1f60648-fce0-11e3-8113-001a4bcf887a.html
"At Taco John's, we have a policy that we don't discriminate against anyone," Scott said. "This blew out of proportion before we even got a chance to investigate. We didn't even get to defend ourselves. Everyone thinks we're guilty. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet. Not everything is true."
He said a manager and two employees - including Brandt -- were involved.
"We never forced him to wear the name tag," Scott stated. "He wore it himself. I have an employee who wrote me a statement and is signing it saying so."
"From what I understand, they were all joking around. Everyone has a nickname here, and he wanted a nickname. (Gaytard is) what he picked for a nickname. He wasnt forced to wear the name tag. He asked the manager to make that name tag for him. He handed it to him. He didn't tell him he had to wear it. He put it on himself and created the situation. He said the manager forced him to do it. The manager didn't force him to do anything."
Scott said Brandt became upset when he was told to go home early Monday for "not doing his job" and resigned early the next morning.
So, where are the employees or customers that witnessed any of what this kid has alleged? Nowhere. Once again the media amok with a story without bothering to actually check it out. And once again people on social media and here at DU do the same.
What this kid described was rather extraordinary abuse though I don't personally believe it occurred. I don't believe that even in South Dakota where there are likely just as many LGBT people as pretty much any place else in the country that any manager of a business would permit an employee to wear such an obviously disparaging name tag in front of customers and other employees whether those people are LGBT or not because of course it is offensive to anyone that has no mindless hatred of LGBT people not to mention that it's totally unprofessional.
One can't hide their name tag behind a cash register since no register clerk can do that job without moving about and having to physically engage customers.
There's no way on earth that there would have been not even one single customer or employee that was a witness to either the name tag or the verbal abuse that would not have complained yet in this story - well, what do you know - there is not a single one of either backing up this kid's story. What he alleges was VERY public, and without one single person with direct knowledge of any of it anywhere.
Please people, stop and think before spreading these stories around. REAL people have gotten death threats and suffered other harm even physical because of bogus allegations by some hoaxster looking for a payday and/or just wanting the media attention. WAIT and find out if there is any legitimate proof of allegations especially independent witnesses particularly in stories where there should be several.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)I know that teens like to kid each other, but a WORKPLACE is NEVER the place for joke-y name tags or silly nicknames used in public..
A good manager cultivates congeniality, but always maintains a businesslike atmosphere.. These are the places where young people LEARN about work..not where they have fun-time play group with bosses & coworkers.
These places can be fun places to work, but there should always be basic rules in place
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)The one accused or the one that was involved in the joking around with nicknames and name tags?
The manager that was accused is the son of the franchise owner. He isn't in any position to get fired or quit and just walk away. Dad would kick his ass.
The manager involved in the joking around was likely about the same age as the accuser and indeed acted horribly unprofessionally... but whose to know when they're the manager on duty and the kids that work under him enjoy his joking around. When the bigger professional boss isn't there the unprofessional managers have pretty much free reign to be joking around with the staff.
I worked in a lot of places just like that when I felt like I was the only professional in the building. It's really irritating. I also worked at one place where the son of the owner was basically forced to work there doing all the crap jobs until his dad made him a night manager despite his wanting nothing to do with it. The son was by far the most professional manager there because he knew Dad would clean his clock, throw him out of the house, etc. if he wasn't. I still smile at how thrilled he must have been when his Dad sold the business. I hope he's finally out from under his father's thumb and pursuing the career he actually wanted.
daleo
(21,317 posts)This sounds like bullying. Bullies often claim everyone was going along with them. That doesn't make it so.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Where are the customers that had to have witnessed this abuse or saw the name tag and complained about it? Nowhere. Not one single person backs up his claims, and this was VERY public alleged abuse.
His excuse of hiding behind the till so customers wouldn't see his name tag is bogus. We've all encountered these workers in fast food joints, mini markets, drug stores, gas stations, etc. and it's not possible to work the register and perform all your other duties when you're so physically close to other customers in order to serve them, take their money, give them their purchases, give them their change, etc. Though there's plenty of customers that don't bother looking at a worker's name tag, the fact that it's so non-professional looking draws attention to it, and there's just no way that many customers didn't notice it if he was wearing for hours day after day or that they weren't offended by it yet not one single customer made a complaint.
He claimed that the manager would even verbally abuse him loudly in the store full of customers and shout that derogatory word across the room at him and not ONE single customer was offended and complained EVER? Bullshit. The number of complaints from customers alone would have made this a news story without him saying a single word. But not a single ONE of these customers exist. NOT ONE.
He was well-liked among the other staff members and NOT ONE of them backs up his claims? Bullshit.
He claims he tells several of his friends and even his boyfriend about this alleged abuse and NOT ONE of them is backing him up??? His own boyfriend is not backing him up??? Come on.
One single alleged friend writes about this story of his on social media to spread it around and get it on the news JUST LIKE the hoaxsters we so very recently found out about concerning the little girl attacked by pit bulls and that alleged friend isn't backing him up? She doesn't have her face in the cameras claiming he told her this story and she believes him after being the one that STARTED the social media bonanza that got this on the news? Pfffftttt... I'd bet cash money that alleged friend spreading the story on social media is him.
His story has more holes in it than the hoaxsters with the little girl mauled by pit bull dogs before that investigation was even started. And isn't it interesting that this happened right after the little girl mauled by pit bulls story gained a pot of money and attention before it was just found out a day or two ago that it was a hoax.
Did we learn nothing at all from the most recent hoaxster story? The media certainly didn't but what the hell do they care about public allegations made against an innocent person that ends up getting death threats and other harassment because gullible people on social media don't THINK first before spreading mere allegations around that have NOTHING that backs those allegations up and when their story has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)But their own story says that he did
"We never forced him to wear the name tag," Scott stated. "He wore it himself. I have an employee who wrote me a statement and is signing it saying so."
And that really sounds like a weak defense. "I have an employee (who wants to keep his/her job) who wrote me a statement and is signing it (after I told them I would fire their a$$ if they didn't)"
And this is Yankton.
Maybe "his own boyfriend" was in the closet.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)He CHOSE than nickname? He wanted to wear than nametag? And the manager allowed it?
I have a hard time buying that.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)better, hopefully the latter.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)mnhtnbb
(31,320 posts)Makes you wish he would have handed the name tag back, altered to read
FUCKTARD
and suggested the manager wear it at all times.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)marym625
(17,997 posts)From yesterday. Thought you might like to see what has happened with this story
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025582752