Restaurant chain criticized for firing employees after pro-Palestinian march

Moxy’s has been criticized for firing four employees who openly expressed support for the national march on Gaza by cheering on the steps of its Toronto restaurant on October 21st.

After a two-week deliberation period, the company announced that the employee in question “no longer works for Moxy’s,” according to the report. B’nai Brith Canadaan independent Jewish human rights organization.

Journalist Karima Sadh I posted a video On X, formerly known as Twitter, we featured employees showing solidarity with and supporting the protests. In the video, employees from the downtown Toronto Moxy’s on the corner of University Avenue and Wellington Street West can be seen cheering on the rally from the front steps of the restaurant.

“Restaurant workers show solidarity with national march in Gaza” says Sa’ad newspaper With subtitles The post has since been viewed more than 890,000 times.

Published by Moxy Reaction to the video, asserted that “the employee’s actions are not consistent with our company’s values.” “Participating in demonstrations while in uniform or on our premises is strictly prohibited and does not reflect our corporate culture.”

“We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been adversely affected by these actions. We ask our teams to behave with respect and show empathy and consideration. We also hope that a formal investigation has been launched and that all involved We assure you that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” the company said. Added on October 22nd.

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“Moxie also condemns all forms of violence, and our hearts are with the innocent civilians who are suffering and those hurting in our communities.”

According to a Toronto-based employment lawyer Muniza SheikhMoxy’s first course of action would have been to determine whether the event in question was explicitly anti-Israel or a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestinian civilians.

“If you review the footage, it appears that the employees themselves only mention ‘Palestine.’ They did not attend any rallies, even anti-Israel rallies, but they did so nominally during work hours. cooperated,” Sheikh said. yahoo canada.

Sheikh expressed concern about the extent to which Moxy’s ensured that employees clearly understood the purpose of the gathering.

“If the gathering was hateful against a particular group, in this case Jews, Moxy’s statement that such participation violated the human rights of not only Jewish employees but also Jewish patrons. ‘It’s only natural that we would take a position,”’ she elaborated.

Under the circumstances, Sheikh said Moxy’s apology was reasonable and some degree of disciplinary action against the employee would have been justified.

“If an employee participates in an anti-Israel, anti-Palestinian, anti-Muslim or anti-Jewish rally, it is assumed that the individual is inciting hatred against the group, which could lead to termination,” Sheikh said. he explained. “However, employers should not dismiss someone lightly, because otherwise they will not be able to escape liability in the face of unfair dismissal cases that are certain to occur.”

Sheikh also clarified that “employees have the right to peacefully protest and employers cannot assume that every gathering of protesters is a ‘festival of hate.'”

“If you take that position and terminate an employee as a result, the employer has the burden of proving that the employee’s conduct was discriminatory and hateful,” she said. “Inciting hatred against any group can be grounds for dismissal, as long as it is hateful and discriminatory.

“Participating in an event that offends your employer is not the same as participating in an event spewing hatred against a particular group. Employers need to be objectively educated about the difference. , there is a serious risk that a large number of unfair dismissal practices will occur.”

As a result, a growing number of social media users are calling for a boycott of Moxy’s following the firing of four employees.

On social media, some expressed support for Moxy’s decision to lay off employees.