UK store bans staff from wearing poppies

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**Fifty**

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8342958.stm

I wrote the other day almost defending BA for asking a woman to wear her Crucifix inside her uniform. (Although I thought it was a bit OTT.) I fully supported an American store that asked an employee not to wear a badge with a particular political message on it, especially as they offered an alternative with a similar but less controversial message...

This, however astounds me. While I find I have to see some comparison here, and feel the store has the right to prevent their staff wearing a poppy, it blows my mind that they would actually do so. If I were ever likely to shop there, I would exercise my own right not do so ever again... As it is, I am never going to go there anyway, so I can hardly call it a personal boycott...

War veterans have expressed their fury at a toiletries store in Wigan which has banned its members of staff from wearing poppies.

Bodycare in The Galleries threatened one member of staff with disciplinary proceedings if she did not remove the emblem from her uniform.

Wigan Borough Veterans' Council said it was a "disgrace" not to support the country's fallen and injured heroes.

A spokeswoman for the national chain refused to comment about its policy.

Des White, chairman of the veterans' council, said many members had been affected by the store's decision.

He said: "We have 400 members across the town and the phone has been going non-stop since the poppy ban was revealed.

"Many are hurt, confused and really angry about this decision. I rang the shop yesterday and asked why the staff couldn't wear the poppies.

"I was told the pin would damage their uniform. I even offered to send the company poppies with a magnetic clip so as not to damage their tabards.

"They refused, saying it was their policy not to allow any staff to wear any badge relating to any charity."

Wigan Borough Veterans' Council caters for ex-soldiers of all ages, offering them support, advice and giving them the chance to re-engage with life back home.

Mr White added: "Our lads need all the help they can get, it's not just about raising money it's about people remembering what those fighting have done for this country.

"Some are coming back from Afghanistan and choosing to sleep in tents in fields around the town rather than sleep back home, it has a great effect on their lives and mindset."

**MeanGreenStompa**

Bodycare indeed!!!

It's the money raised from the poppies that cares for bodies, these arrogant swines will regret this.

It's angry letter time.

**Ahtman**

Some one draw a line for me between "poppies" and veterans. It sounds like a pin shaped like the flower from the article.

**Frazzled**

Canada and UK'rs wear these little flowers in memory of veterans and WWI (WWI was where it started). Same reason we have veteran's Day.

**Kilkrazy**

Ahtman wrote:Some one draw a line for me between "poppies" and veterans. It sounds like a pin shaped like the flower from the article.

http://www.poppy.org.uk/

I believe the first wearing of poppies was actually done in the US in about 1920 and taken up in Britain the following year.

The poppy is a symbol of the WW1 dead, since poppies are such a commonly seen plant in Flanders. As with Remembrance Day, it has become a general remembrance of war dead not just WW1.

**SilverMK2**

Ahtman wrote:Some one draw a line for me between "poppies" and veterans. It sounds like a pin shaped like the flower from the article.

Poppies are the symbol used to raise money for vetrans and relatives of vetrans in the UK. You can buy a paper/plastic poppy to show your support for them and to raise funds at the same time.

Traditionally they are red, though I have heard that there are white ones as well, to show your respect for the individuals who have sacrificed so much, but not for war itself.

http://www.poppy.org.uk/

Edit: Beaten to it

**njpc**

So people now get offended when their employee's where a small pin in order for them to show their support for fallen soldiers???

What happened to the world? Seriously, how is a pin offensive? Who could they possibly offend? How can some say they have the "right" to restrict an employee from showing a reminder of people who have fallen while defending their country.

**Kilkrazy**

**Ahtman**

njpc wrote:Seriously, how is a pin offensive? Who could they possibly offend? How can some say they have the "right" to restrict an employee from showing a reminder of people who have fallen while defending their country.

It is offensive in the same way that a Winnie the Pooh calendar is offensive: it isn't to 99% o the people out there. It is the 1% that cause problems. Putting the focus on the companies is unfair, because they are not to blame for having to make blanket policies such as this. It is our fault because of the legislation we let happen that makes companies have to create these policies just to keep from having to go court over something like this. It is stupid and ridiculous, but it is a legal reality.

Also, what is wrong with that Asian women? Is she really that freakishly thin and taffy-like or is a photoshop? Looks like a human version of Longcat.

**SilverMK2**

I think it might be the angle she is standing at which is giving the impression of extra-thin-ness. Although I suspect that she is realtively trim even without that.

**Frazzled**

Ahtman wrote:

Also, what is wrong with that asain women? Is she really that freakishly thin and taffy-like or is a photoshop? Looks like a human version of Longcat.

Hey don't make fun of malfred like that. he can't help the way he is, oh I see who you meant, er never mind.

**Ahtman**

SilverMK2 wrote:I think it might be the angle she is standing at which is giving the impression of extra-thin-ness. Although I suspect that she is realtively trim even without that.

That may be part of it but you can still tell her shoulders are wider than her hips, and since she is so thin and not a body builder that is kind of sad and freaky. That really isn't it though really. Her proportions in general are all wrong. Her torso is about twice as long as a normal human.

**Frazzled**

Yea KK, are you trying to foist an android on us, again?

**CaptainCommunism**

WHAT THE CRAP. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Whoever thought up this bright idea should watch some WWI films. not hollywood etc. ones. the real footage from the war. this is absolutely disgusting. I hope whoever did this gets fired.

**theocd**

I was shocked when I returned to school after Half Term. Only myself, a couple of of my frineds and a handful of teachers were wearing them. Luckily, the number seems to be picking up now the School Office is selling them but do people really need a kick up the butt to remember? I'm also appalled that I'm the only person who seems to wear a Rose on St George's Day.

Harumph,

The OC-D

**Albatross**

Given that the Poppy Appeal is supporting the families of troops killed and wounded in Iraq and Afganistan - I'll give you 3 guesses as to who they're worried about offending...

Here's a clue - it's the same people who don't mind offending the rest of us with their 'Butchers of Basra' placards and their hysterical reaction to a few cartoons of a certain prophet.

**Frazzled**

Mmm...gotcha.

**Kilkrazy**

Frazzled wrote:Yea KK, are you trying to foist an android on us, again?

Dammit! Rumbled. Back to the drawing board.

**squilverine**

Well done Bodycare, thats me and several thousand other potential customers who will never darken the doorstep of your business until you issue a groveling appology and a hefty donation to the Poppy Apeal.

What sort of disgusting person gets offended by someone showing there respect and gratitude to those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms and priveledges we do today?

**Albatross**

The irony is, I'd never heard of Bodycare before this. Although the saying 'there's no such thing as bad publicity' might NOT apply in this case.

**dogma**

I really doubt this will affect their sales figures in any significant manner. Its a blanket policy in place to avoid lawsuits. It doesn't matter that any given person is unlikely to be offended by the poppy. What matters is that any given employee might wear something related to a charity which is likely to offend, and the lack of uniform enforcement could help to push a lawsuit through in the event that employee were asked to remove the item.

**Cane**

Like usual dogma is right.

As an injured military man myself I understand why people are adamant about wearing such accessories but company policy is for the company to dictate unless UK law says otherwise.

Using this as an opportunity to somehow demonize a company is also imo a poor use of time and seems somewhat counter productive if your goal is to support vets.

**Da Boss**

Is wearing the poppy always associated with charity?
(it's not common over here at all, we don't really have any sort of veteran rememberance over here, excuse the total ignorance)

**Frazzled**

We do. Its called barbeque and beer.

**Da Boss**

It's a good idea!

**Court**

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

**Kilkrazy**

The Poppy Appeal is specifically a charity which runs the Star & Garter Home for retired injured servicemen in Richmond (the Poppy factory is nearby) and other such facilities.

The Star & Garter was going to be closed due to lack of demand however now we are bringing back so many wounded from Afghanistan perhaps that will be reconsidered.

If people think it's a charity which causes offence they should remember that the Queen wears a poppy in support.

**Da Boss**

Okay, thanks KK.

**CaptainCommunsism**

Albatross wrote:Given that the Poppy Appeal is supporting the families of troops killed and wounded in Iraq and Afganistan - I'll give you 3 guesses as to who they're worried about offending...

The poppy is about remembering ALL soldiers who died, not just those who died on one side or the other. EVERYBODY should respect this in SOME way. gah.

**Albatross**

Yes, but The Poppy Appeal in the UK is directed by the British Legion, and money raised is used to support wounded British (and commonwealth? not sure - hope so

) servicemen and the families of war dead, in addition to the Remembrance events they do.