March 17th, 2010
Machinist says he was fired for wearing Star of David
Jewish man from Plymouth files employment discrimination complaint with state agency
By MORDECAI SPECKTOR
A Plymouth man has filed an employment discrimination complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, contending that he was fired from his job for wearing a Star of David pendant.
In the statement filed with his complaint, William E. Broze says that he worked for Cherne Industries, Inc., of Edina, as a machinist for 29 years. Problems developed when the company issued a new policy manual in August 2009, which changed the dress code for employees, according to Broze. An addendum to the policy manual spelled out restrictions on wearing jewelry.
William Broze is shown wearing his Star of David pendant, which he customarily tucked inside of his shirt while at work. (Courtesy of Mansfield, Tanick and Cohen, P.A.)
In his statement Broze explained that the new dress code banned jewelry in the workplace, “with the exception of stud earrings and earrings which hug the ear; the only necklaces that could be worn were medical alert necklaces with a break-away chain which were worn inside the shirt. I asked if I would have to remove my necklace and I was told that I would have to.”
In a Sept. 2 meeting with the company president, Joel Statts, Broze said that he was not sure that he could comply with the policy that prohibited him from wearing a Star of David pendant (which Broze refers to as a “Mogen David”). He says that he wore the necklace and pendant inside of his shirt.
Broze says that Statts warned him that he needed to remove the necklace or face suspension.
“I again stated that I did not feel that I could remove the necklace, which as always was beneath my shirt,” Broze says in his statement. “Mr. Statts took my employee badge and told me that I was suspended, pending investigation.” Broze says that a supervisor then escorted him from the building.
On Sept. 4, Broze says that he met again with Statts, and his supervisor, Steve Carlson. “Mr. Statts read a letter to me explaining that I had been terminated for insubordination and failure to comply with company policy,” Broze says in his statement. “I shook hands with both men, thanked them and told them how much I had enjoyed working for them. I was escorted from the building.”
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