Whole Foods Leader Resigns Over Discriminatory Workplace Vax Mandate
Unsafe Space Roundtable on Employer Discrimination Banned by YouTube
We hosted a roundtable with the public over at Unsafe Space on Monday, where people could share their stories and experiences with employer coercion, discrimination, and termination in the work place now that many companies are choosing to institute Covid vaccine mandates. We had 5 brave people willing to talk about their employer’s new policies and how this is impacting their health, their life and their livelihood. Four of these people felt the need to protect their identity even just to talk about this. Three work in the healthcare, pharmaceutical or science fields. One person’s husband has a medical condition that prevents him from even taking the vaccine without putting his life at risk.
And yet - within hours of allowing these people to tell their stories, YouTube pulled down our video and slapped us with a two week suspension to accompany their censorship. If you are one of those people who has remained unaware of the magnitude of propaganda and censorship happening, I ask you to watch this video that was banned from YouTube here at Odysee and think about why a large corporation like Google/YouTube might deign to tell you that you can’t hear from these people. If they are censoring this, what else are they censoring? How much power over information are you comfortable giving to corporate media giants? Are you ok living in an information echochamber maintained by corporations where you’re only given access to information that supports one agenda and one narrative? Do you enjoy making up your own mind or do you like being told what to think about things? Are you ok with censorship? Do you think of yourself as a liberal?
For those of you who are already awake, I want to share with you a resignation letter that someone sent us after the roundtable aired. This is from Natalie, who is not afraid anymore, and is comfortable going on the record. Like Gertrude in our video, she worked in the grocery industry and came up against the orthodoxy requiring that everyone receive this new vaccine, even though it is not old enough for longitudinal studies. Even though in some cases it is causing adverse effects and deaths (which sharing facts about will get you banned on social media). Even though it is for a virus with a less than 1% death rate. Even though it does not actually prevent you from contracting or spreading said virus. Even though many people have been advised by their doctor NOT to get the vaccine given their specific medical conditions.
I’m sharing this letter with Natalie’s permission because I hope it encourages you to do what you think is the right thing to do, regardless of your fear. We need strong men and women. We need leaders like Natalie to inspire us to do what is right, even when it’s not popular and even when we will be called names, fired, mocked, attacked, and vilified. Not everyone has to choose the same thing. Not everyone has to push back in the same way. But for those who are called to make sacrifices, despite your fear, here is a beautiful and strong hearted example:
To All It May Concern,
It is with great sadness that give my resignation from Whole Foods Market and that my last day will be Sunday June 20th, 2021.
This decision has weighed heavy on my heart due to being with the company for almost 9 years, but the reason comes down to being discriminated against by the Team Member mask policy that went into effect on June 1st 2021.
As you all know I put in a religious accommodation that explained why it was against my beliefs to take part in the experimental COVID 19 vaccine. This request was denied and now I am being punished at work to “wear a mask” restricting my ability to breathe freely, communicate effectively, and show any sense of emotion with my face.
Also, by putting my religious beliefs out there, I took a risk from being ostracized at work for thinking differently.
All of these reasons make this a very hostile place to work.
The reason for denying my religious accommodation was due to “safety” concerns, but the company has not taken into account our natural immunity. If one has had COVID, which I have because I have been working the last 14 months in confined, not able to socially distance places in our stores, we are unable to transfer the virus, that is basic immunity 101.
There is talk amongst Team Members that they can lie about their vaccination status and as long as they are not asked to show their vaccination card, they can get by without wearing a mask.
Lastly, it breaks my heart to hear Team Members saying that they are vaccinated and choose to wear a mask because they don’t want to smile at customers. I would love to smile at customers, and for people to be able to hear me, and see me, and not feel suffocated and segregated from the vaccinated.
Thank you for allowing me to go Hawaii, San Diego, Asheville, and training me in Wine, Cheese, and fine eating. Thank you for training me to be a leader, a compassionate person, and a grateful individual.
Natalie
Market Associate Team Leader
Whole Foods Markets: SAS | 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC