Starbucks Investigating Homophobic ‘Rant’ at NY Employee
Starbucks is investigating allegations that one of its New York employees was subjected to homophobic abuse that forced him to quit.
The company has responded to the allegations this week by clarifying its stance, saying it values diversity and aims to create a supportive working environment.
The allegations surround an employee from a Long Island branch of Starbucks. Rumors allege that the gay employee was rebuked by his manager for going into his personal life at work.
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Starbucks responded saying its officials were disheartened to hear the allegations, and said, “The actions reported do not correspond with our values, who we are as a company or the beliefs we try to instill in our partners.”
The incident was brought to light by a website blog from a gay couple in New York. In the blog a letter written to Starbucks was included. It described: “Yesterday when I walked into your Centereach, Long Island location I saw one of the most brazen and unapologetic displays of homophobia I have ever witnessed in my entire life. What was most concerning about it was it was perpetuated by not one, not two but THREE of your employees and it was directed towards a fourth employee.”
It continued, “I don't know this man, but I know his name is Jeffrey because the woman (who seemed to be in charge of this circus) loudly scolded, spoke to in a condescending manner, humiliated, and then let go. In the middle of your store. Two feet away from my table.”
The letter goes on to describe how a shaken “Jeffrey” rushed to the bathroom, and the other employees then continued with “a long, ranting homophobic rant that lasted about five minutes”.
“This rant transpired two feet away from my table where I sat with my daughter. A three year old child, with two mothers.,” the letter says. “I have never, in my entire life seem such a gross and unapologetic display of ignorance and intolerance.”
After “Jeffrey” left the blog claims that one of the employees commented: “He should not get upset at the things people say to him. He should be used to it. It's not like he turned gay yesterday.”
Alan Hilowitz, a spokesman for Starbucks, said Wednesday that there were portions of the blogger's account that were inaccurate.
Hilowitz refused to state specifically what facts were incorrect, saying that it was difficult to know exactly what was said without being there. He said, “What she saw and what she heard wasn't exactly what was going on.”
The Starbucks spokesman explained that the meeting witnessed and described by the blogger was in fact a performance review, and that the employee actually quit of his own free will. Hilowitz said, “He voluntarily resigned his position without coercion.”
Starbucks have so far declined to comment on whether disciplinary action would be taken against the employees involved.
