WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed.

"I've worn it for well over a year and I support my country and God," Trevor Keezor said Tuesday. "I was just doing what I think every American should do, just love my country."

The American flag button Keezer wore in the Florida store since March 2008 says "One nation under God, indivisible."

Earlier this month, he began bringing a Bible to read during his lunch break at the store in the rural town of Okeechobee, about 140 miles north of Miami. That's when he says The Home Depot management told him he would have to remove the button.

Keezer refused, and he was fired on Oct. 23, he said.

"It feels kind of like a punishment, like I was punished for just loving my country," Keezer said.

A Home Depot spokesman said Keezer was fired because he violated the company's dress code.

"This associate chose to wear a button that expressed his religious beliefs. The issue is not whether or not we agree with the message on the button," Craig Fishel said. "That's not our place to say, which is exactly why we have a blanket policy, which is long-standing and well-communicated to our associates, that only company-provided pins and badges can be worn on our aprons."

Fishel said Keezer was offered a company-approved pin that said, "United We Stand," but he declined.

Keezer's lawyer, Kara Skorupa, said she planned to sue the Atlanta-based company.

"There are federal and state laws that protect against religious discrimination," Skorupa said. "It's not like he was out in the aisles preaching to people."

Keezer said he was working at the store to earn money for college, and wore the button to support his country and his 27-year-old brother, who is in the National Guard and is set to report in December for a second tour of duty in Iraq.

Skorupa noted the slogan on Keezer's pin is straight from the Pledge of Allegiance.

"These mottos and sayings that involve God, that's part of our country and historical fabric," Skorupa said. "In God we trust is on our money."

Michael Masinter, a civil rights and employment law professor at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, said any lawsuit over religious discrimination might be a tough one to win.

"Because it's a private business, not one that's owned and operated by the government, it doesn't have to operate under the free speech provisions of the First Amendment," Masinter said.

"But we're not talking about religious displays here," he said. "This sounds more like a political message ... Wearing a button of that sort would not easily be described as a traditional form of religious expression like wearing a cross or wearing a yarmulke."


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I don't understand why this is an issue. If the policy said only Home Depot buttons, then only wear Home Depot buttons.

He was not punished for loving his country he was punished for breaking the rules.

My father, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law and aunt have all served in various branches of the military including combat services in WWII, VietNam and Desert Storm. My blood runs red, white and blue. You can't get more patriotic than I.

Also, I've been a Christian for 30+ years.

But flotown is right. If the dress code clearly states only company issued buttons/badges, then that's the way it is. Privately owned businesses have every right to dictate dress code, be it no blue jeans, no visable body piercing, shirts must have company logo, etc, etc, etc.

Sorry, dude. Your argument doesn't fly by my standards.

I have to disagree with both of you. It is political correctness gone mad. Where is the common sense of this country. Why was it even an issue? Did someone complain? A company approved pin was offered but what is wrong with the one he was wearing? I see it as a lack of common sense and courage from his boss.

One would expect "common sense" to be "common"; however, it is extraordinarily uncommon. By allowing the pin to be worn without comment for a year, the Home Depot appeared to at least tacitly approve of the pin. However, their actions by warning him and offering him an alternative seem to be fair. He made the choice to decline their offer, and now should be content to live with the consequences of that choice.

Freedom, the basic value of our country, is nothing more than the right to make a free choice and abide by the consequences.

quote:

Originally posted by ferrellj:
I have to disagree with both of you. It is political correctness gone mad. Where is the common sense of this country. Why was it even an issue? Did someone complain? A company approved pin was offered but what is wrong with the one he was wearing? I see it as a lack of common sense and courage from his boss.

He was not following the rules. He is not a second grader. No customer had to complain. It seems as if they offered him a chance to comply, he refused. This is a private company. He could wear the button as much as he wished but simply take it off at work. Maybe, if was like HD employees where I live, he had multiple buttons on his vest and management never noticed.

Now he has no job. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.

It's a private company and they have a dress code. If he insists on violating it then they have the right to let him go.

I don't think he is wrong for wearing it, nor is Home Depot wrong in making him not wear it. The problem is those few people who can't appreciate the free speech we have in this country. I may not agree with what his pin says. But I appreciate seeing him wear it because it is an excellent reminder of what freedom stands for in this country and those who have died to protect it. A reminder of no matter how much your beliefs differ from mine, we BOTH should have the right and freedom to express them.

The people who like to cause trouble for this guy are the ones I really worry about. Don't they have something better to do? Pin today, is is brown hair tomorrow??

He has every right to wear his pin anywhere he wants. He can wear it in the Home Depot if he wants.

However, Home Depot has the right to run their company as they see fit. They have a dress code that says no unapproved buttons. He violated that dress code. They let him go. That's not a violation of his free speech, it's a business decision.

Free speech stops at my door. Just ask my daughter!!!

quote:

Originally posted by NashBama:
He has every right to wear his pin anywhere he wants. He can wear it in the Home Depot if he wants.

However, Home Depot has the right to run their company as they see fit. They have a dress code that says no unapproved buttons. He violated that dress code. They let him go. That's not a violation of his free speech, it's a business decision.

I have to agree that a business has the right to set the rules, but I also have to ask if the company is enforcing the rules company wide. If they are allowing others to wear whatever, he may have a leg to stand on.

quote:

Originally posted by Schnauzer1:
......but I also have to ask if the company is enforcing the rules company wide. If they are allowing others to wear whatever, he may have a leg to stand on.

He is a grown man. Why can't he simply follow the rules. The excuse 'well so and so did it too' is for kids not responsible adults. Self responsibility!!!

He knowingly broke the rules. I might have a little compassion if they just walked up to him and fired him on the spot, but he was giving a chance to get within company policy. He refused. Now he is free to seek employment elsewhere.

I have to agree to a certain extent, if a company singles out one person to enforce the rules and not others then there is something wrong(not saying this is the case here)

quote:

Originally posted by NashBama:
It's a private company and they have a dress code. If he insists on violating it then they have the right to let him go.

I fully agree. The story makes it sound like total discrimination but if one needs a job bad enough you'll follow your employers rules. He can wear his button after hours anywhere he wants. When you work for someone you have to follow the rules or else you are subject to being let go. That's just how it is.

The boss may not always be right BUT he is always the BOSS. If you believe this is bad policy for Home Depot, shop Lowes.

i bet they woulda left him alone had it been a Satan pin!

I say we crucify Home Depot!