Hamilton barista says he was fired for wearing an orange shirt on Canada Day — bosses say that’s not true
A Hamilton barista says he was fired for wearing an orange shirt to work on Canada Day.
His employers say that had nothing to do with his dismissal," instead pointing to issues which related to his attendance, regular uniform infractions, and work ethic over the previous few months."
What they agree on is this: Patrick Monaghan went to work at Emerald Coffee Co. on July 1 wearing an orange shirt. Days prior, his bosses had asked staff to wear red shirts reading Canada is Home."
Monaghan says he decided to wear orange to support the Indigenous community in the wake of the recent discovery of unmarked graves at residential school sites. He didn't think it necessary to run the shirt change by his bosses, who had recently supported a pop-up event selling Indigenous works at the Barton Street East coffee shop on National Indigenous Peoples Day, he said.
But midway through Monaghan's shift, he got a call from his boss, Robert Wilton, who saw via security cameras that he was not wearing the approved shirt. Monaghan says he explained he was wearing an orange shirt out of respect for Indigenous peoples.
Wilton says that's not how the call went.
He did not explain his reasoning to me," Wilton told The Spectator in an email. I told him he needed to change into the uniform, providing him the option to wear black or red. It was explained to him that if he had an issue, he could have talked to us about it as soon as or any time after, the staff email was sent, roughly 2 weeks in advance."
Monaghan then texted Wilton to say he'd rather go home than change. Another co-worker who was also wearing orange decided to change into another shirt and stayed on shift. The Spectator spoke with the co-worker and confirmed this.
A few days later, Monaghan was fired.
The termination letter, shared with The Spec, says he was fired for just cause due to violation of company policies and insubordination."
On July 1st, 2021, you went against management decisions as well as company policies and worked in improper uniform as well as told other coworkers to show up in improper work uniform," states the July 6 letter. We remind you that if you have a concern with our policies and decisions, it is most appropriate to have a meeting with your management team and not work the shifts you may feel clash with your personal views."
The co-worker who wore orange has since quit. She spoke with The Spectator on the condition of anonymity as she didn't want to cause issues with her other job. She said she decided to change into an orange shirt when she arrived at work and saw Monaghan doing so, but he didn't tell her to show up in orange.
Despite the termination letter referencing an improper uniform" on Canada Day, Wilton told The Spec that Monaghan's orange shirt had nothing to do with his dismissal."
There have been many issues which related to his attendance, regular uniform infractions, and work ethic over the previous few months," Wilton said. Prior to terminating Patrick, he was addressed verbally by the general manager as well as myself on numerous occasions."
Wilton added that Monaghan had the option of requesting the day off and it would have been approved." He said in a conversation with Monaghan, he told him that he can't use our store or anything affiliated to our brand, for his personal protests."
Monaghan said he was late to work a few times but said he was never issued any warnings.
Monaghan says he's speaking out because he alleges Emerald presents as being progressive and community-oriented while oppressing freedom of speech within their own business."
Wilton called that a blatant lie."
To those who know our brand, know that we have welcomed all communities and promoted a positive staff at Emerald Coffee since day one," Wilton said.
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com