Outback Steakhouse, Tea Party lock horns
Outback Steakhouse has drawn the ire of Tea Party supporters after an Illinois waitress said she was fired for wearing a “Don’t Tread on Me” bracelet.
Outback denies the worker, Megan Geller of Woodstock, Ill., was fired because of the bracelet, according to a report in the Northwest Herald newspaper. The restaurant in Crystal Lake, Ill., claims the 23-year-old woman was let go because she was ignoring customers.
Geller said a couple complained about the bracelet, which she’d worn for months without any problem. The bracelet contains words found on a well-known historical American flag with a yellow background and rattlesnake poised to strike. It was only after the customers complained that she was fired, she said.
The local restaurant has been the target of conservative bloggers and radio hosts, and protests by local Tea Party members, who say Geller’s free speech rights have been violated.
An Outback lawyer told the newspaper Geller would have been told to remove the bracelet if that had been the problem.
“Megan Gellar was not let go because of her Tea Party bracelet,” Outback’s Chief Legal Officer Jospeh Kadow said in a statement.
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71 comments Add your comment
Tech '10
November 16th, 2011
12:41 pm
Who really complains about a bracelet? Probably just bad timing at worst on Outbacks part, Longhorn’s is better anyway.
What ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 16th, 2011
12:49 pm
Story does not say how long this women has been employed. If an employer keeps a employee for over 6 months, then that employee is doing a good job. If she was ignoring customers, maybe there was a reason but I somehow doubt it.
I believe the girl. You cant fly an American Flag, you cant put a sign out with your beliefs of GOD and they really dont like conservative tea party people. Lets get a voice recording on the girl and send it to the polygraph guy who does the voice tests. I think I have a right to know if I want to go back to Outbacks or not.
Just so everybody knows
November 16th, 2011
12:50 pm
Outback doesn’t cook any of their steaks at the restaurant, they are pre-cooked and then heated up when you order one. Because of this, I no longer eat at Outback. Just wanted everybody to know.
SAWB
November 16th, 2011
12:54 pm
Yes, bottom line Longhorn’s is better.
Also, anyone working directly with customers should have enough sense not to wear an item that might offend them. While it may be petty it really is just good business etiquette.
Kurt
November 16th, 2011
12:57 pm
Freedom of Speech does not guarantee you a job. If I wore something to work that my boss found offensive, my employment would be terminated. You can exercise your Freedom of Speech all you want; just know that your company can exercise their freedom to fire you.
H. Smyth
November 16th, 2011
12:57 pm
One customer complains and Outback buckles.Typical action in this country now. One person doesn’t like the prayer before a HS football game so it is eliminated. This will continue until the hard working majority in this country says “enough.” This is now a country where the person occupying the Oval Office makes it plain that it is not necessary to obey the Constitution of the United States or to enforce any laws that he doesn’t like. Riots and deaths have resulted from this policy.
LydiasDad
November 16th, 2011
1:00 pm
Why would they have told her to remove the bracelet? It’s a harmless US flag. Why not tell the customer not to be a wacko? Every time someone is offended, some people think we have to change to satisfy them. I don’t get that. Let them be offended.
lazermike
November 16th, 2011
1:00 pm
You’re mistaken, H. Smyth — George W. Bush is no longer president.
LydiasDad
November 16th, 2011
1:04 pm
You’re right lazermike. That’s why all the current problems are the fault of the current President. So why does the left keep bringing Bush into it?
markie mark
November 16th, 2011
1:07 pm
@lazermike…..lame response. Unlike Obama in Libya and now Central Africa (where he sent advisors two weeks ago) Bush got approval from Congress for any actions he took. He respected the rule of law, unlike our current administration and Department of Justice. Nice try, no dice.
PT worker
November 16th, 2011
1:08 pm
Screw Steve and those like him. If it wasn’t for the Tea Party who keep politicians accountable for their actions and they have their right to protest the government to keep congress from explaining and feeling the consequences of such actions like Solyndra, Fast and Furious, ObamaCare, Wallstreet bailsouts, automobile bailouts and more foolishness. I believe they are more active than ignorant voters like I presume describes Steve. People in 1776 said the same thing about the Revolutionary participants and founding fathers and mothers of this great country. This is political correctness at its worst. People can’t fly a dag-gum US flag outside of their &^^^!!! home because of radicals like you however our men and women in uniform including police and civil servants died and will die for you #$$$$$ a@$$$@@!!!!
Des Former Resident of Atlanta
November 16th, 2011
1:10 pm
I am a BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL and I dont eat at OUTBACK because the FOOD SUCKS! But was this person fired for her bracelet or because she was a less than stellar employee. And a good question would be HOW LONG AS THIS FEMALE WORKED at this particular restaurant?
John K
November 16th, 2011
1:12 pm
I thought tea baggers believed businesses could run things how they wish? Or is that only when they do things they agree with?
Devil's Advocate
November 16th, 2011
1:17 pm
Bravo Outback.
I just think it’s funny how certain people have complained about others using various cards for generations (race, sex, religion, etc) but now the politics card is being played left and right by “victims” all over the spectrum. Get a grip and practice what you preach. The bracelet isn’t a requirement of the dress code so the waitress should practice some of that personal responsibility stuff we’ve been hearing about lately and make better decisions pertaining to her employment.
I know my employer doesn’t allow for political statements on the job so why does this waitress think she should be able to get away with it in her situation? People go to Outback to eat, not receive political messages from the workers.
Keith
November 16th, 2011
1:21 pm
I’ve never complained about what a waitress was wearing but I’ve had tons of crappy service. What’s more likely? that she is martyr crucified for her beliefs or just another crappy waitress? If its the former then she’ll find another job, otherwise I’m glad to see her go.
Devil's Advocate
November 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
And my comments are assuming that the fired worker’s side of the story is true. As a waiter, either you’re giving your customers a good experience or you’re not. If you’re not giving them a good experience then perhaps you should be fired. All depends on the level of service acceptable for the establishment and the customers.
Joe
November 16th, 2011
1:23 pm
The First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution says, “Government shall make no law abridging freedom of speech …”. The First Amendment does not apply to employees in the private sector. Employees do not even have the right to discuss non-work related issues at all. Most employers allow it, but it’s important to realize that it is a privilege that the employer can revoke at any time. After all, the purpose of the workers is to work.
Why don’t the tea partiers go read the constitution first then comment.
Horseman2
November 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
Employers have a right to enforce a dress code. If an employer does not allow policial statements, then the employee must abide by that code . I agree with the Devil’s Advocate. People have a right to speak as they wish on their own time. But if you are on the clock, abide by the rules.
mike
November 16th, 2011
1:31 pm
Yes she is entilted to wear what she wants and say what she wants. However at work lets try to dress appropriate. Customers come in there to eat, not to hear or see some worker’s political views. Now that she is unemployed, she can join the Army and express herself all she wants.
DawgInaTruck
November 16th, 2011
1:36 pm
Simple common sense (something that is becoming a rarity these days) says NO ONE gets fired just for wearing a bracelet, and especially if someting like that were a first offense. Can you imagination the litigation that would follow? All one has to do is think a little to realize there is more to this story.
Tea Party Meber
November 16th, 2011
1:39 pm
I am sick n tired of are free speach being denied. This is just another case of the liberels running ruffshod on the citizens and the constituion.
TEA PARTY 4 LIFE!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 16th, 2011
1:42 pm
$10 says the complainants were black. When I was a waitress in college, I hated getting black customers, solely based upon the repeated experience of more frequent requests, lower tips I would get from them versus non black customers.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 16th, 2011
1:43 pm
And yes I am sure some blacks tip generously, but not in the aggregate…
C from Marietta
November 16th, 2011
1:49 pm
I stopped going to businesses that express their polticial views. EVEN if I agree with them.
There is a time and place for everything.
Darwin
November 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
How about this scenario. I do something controversial and then get lazy at my job and get fired. Then I blame it on what I did that was controversial. Hoping to sue.
itsmeagain
November 16th, 2011
2:03 pm
To everyone;
Longhorn and Outback are both chain restaurants. Both of them have crappy food. Go to in independent restaurant if you want a good meal.
That is all
Devil's Advocate
November 16th, 2011
2:12 pm
With supporters like Trisha, Herman Cain doesn’t need enemies.
bob
November 16th, 2011
2:13 pm
Hey Steve – being a teabagger is better than being a teabagee
Aquagirl
November 16th, 2011
2:20 pm
And yes I am sure some blacks tip generously, but not in the aggregate
Probably none of them tip a-holes well. There’s your problem.
Will
November 16th, 2011
2:20 pm
Hey markie mark. Didn’t President Bush say he was the “Decider” when he
ignored the United Nations
Will
November 16th, 2011
2:21 pm
Hey trishadishawareagle. As racist as you are I can imagine the poor service Black customers received from you. I wouldn’t tip your anti-American behind either
Marlboro Man
November 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
The money loving tea GOP hate to lose money, that’s the right thing to do to them, make them pay for being greedy.
AB
November 16th, 2011
2:23 pm
Any Republicans whining about this should take a look at the Republican party’s stance on employment law, or better yet how employment law is in Georgia. Most people can get fired for almost any reason at all, in a practical sense, because the way employment law is set up makes it nearly impossible for an employee to win cases like this. Enjoy the bitter fruit of the free market or go think/learn about how the Republican party’s stance would (actually, it does) allow businesses to get away with firing anyone they want for whatever reason they want, so long as they can say it was for a business reason.
PinkoNeoConLibertarian
November 16th, 2011
2:58 pm
Reminds me of the business owner back in 2010 that said he was laying off people so he watched who came to work in cars with Obama bumper stickers and they were the folks he laid off. I guess that was OK since so many of you agree with his viewpoint.
The Regressive Party
November 16th, 2011
3:03 pm
AB, your absolutely correct. It just shows that most of these folks posting have no idea what they should be fighting for or against. Talk about brainwashed. In Georgia, it’s common for companies to fire instead of lay-off so they can avoid compensating. Why isn’t the TP fighting against this practice?
As a business owner
November 16th, 2011
3:29 pm
I wouldn’t fire the girl for her beliefs, but I would pity her for identifying herself as a “tea partier”. I wouldn’t need to fire an “occupier” because they don’t have jobs to begin with.
John
November 16th, 2011
3:32 pm
The teabaggers do not understand “free speech” – she did not suffer consequences fromthe government, therefore, her rights were not violated. If Outback didn’t want an emplyee wearing a bracelet for sanity reasons (or because that isn’t part of their uniform), they have the right to request her to remove it. If she doesn’t cooeprate, they are required to continue her employment.
John
November 16th, 2011
3:33 pm
aren’t required to continue her employment.
Ken
November 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
It’s funny how I’ve seen many articles this year pertaining to the rights of businesses to serve and employee who they wish, especially when Georgia is a “At Will” State. Repubs typically grandstand about these rights when a liberal is on the receiving end. All of a sudden, a supposed Tea Party member is fired and their principles go right out of the window. So much for fair and balanced……..
John
November 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
Will,
Sorry, but TrishaDishaWarEagle’s comment is not racist… it is an observation … which is also held by many black servers. I have been informed, by black servers, that they try to avoid … especially larger groups of blacks, because of the average gratuity. Are there any black servers who would like to weigh in on this issue? True or not?
Ken
November 16th, 2011
3:41 pm
John-
I’m guessing you’re ok with profiling then? Just curious. Generalizations can get you into trouble, point blank. Asking someone’s opinion doesn’t make it factual either. Seems there is a lot of that going around these days.
Purple guy
November 16th, 2011
3:43 pm
I am a purple server and orange customers are the BEST tippers !
Jeb
November 16th, 2011
3:48 pm
How does this affect the Dawgs’ 2012 recruiting class?
Misty From Macon
November 16th, 2011
3:53 pm
TrishDisha is again expressing her right to be stooopid. I’m ashamed she’s an Auburn fan — probably not a grad, but a fan of the school. with any luck, maybe Trisha can go back and get her GED before she has her 5th child from her cousin Jim Bob.
Rickster
November 16th, 2011
3:55 pm
The local restaurant has been the target of conservative bloggers and radio hosts, and protests by local Tea Party members, who say Geller’s free speech rights have been violated.
Sorry… no… they haven’t. The First Amendment protects us against the government – not private businesses. “Congress shall make no law” means the government can’t limit what we say (within reason) or our ability to “petition for a redress of grievences.” It doesn’t say that a private company can’t say that if you’re our employee you can’t say certain things.
Too many people who ought to know better so badly misinterpret the First Amendment.
Hypocrisy Ahead!
November 16th, 2011
3:58 pm
Watch…the “Tea Party” (who “is” the tea party, anyway? There’s more Tea Parties in GA than counties) get behind a Plaintiff’s lawsuit for money damages! Here it comes!
Duneflower
November 16th, 2011
4:10 pm
Just because you have the right to do something doesn’t mean you should. Legalities aside, a business owner (directly or through an agent such as a hired manager) has the right to begin and/or terminate any employment as they see fit, provided it doesn’t violate a contract. Said business’ customers also have the right to cease their patronage and/or complain (be it directly to the management or indirectly via protest) if they feel that an employment has been terminated for an illegitimate reason.
Brent
November 16th, 2011
4:13 pm
This is great. Illinois, like Georgia, is an “employment at-will” state, meaning that an employer or employee may terminate the relationship at any time, without any reason or cause. Every American who works for a major company should know the penalty for exercising his or her personal freedom at the expense of the profit-driven company. If this stupid girl wanted protection from her employer to Teabag, she should’ve joined a union. Hahaha!
Southern Comfort
November 16th, 2011
4:14 pm
If Illinois is an at-will employment state, which I think it is, then it’s tough luck for her. That’s what happens in the free market society when you have at will employment. Having the ability to collectively bargain for the right to wear things like that without fear of reprecussion is being removed faster than lumber in the Amazon rain forest. This is one of those cases of “be careful of what you ask for, because you just might get it.”
BillS
November 16th, 2011
4:21 pm
This brief story doesn’t give us enough information to make judgments or criticize the girl or Outback. not that anyone will cease blogging nonsense here….
TallaDawg
November 16th, 2011
4:24 pm
Why is the Tea Party NOT supporting the company’s right to hire and fire who they want?
Truthsayer
November 16th, 2011
4:28 pm
I hope its true… That would mean I eat at Outback for SURE!!!!! The Tea Party are Traitors, there groups have called on Small Business Owners to not hire. They are a Scourge, and DESERVE to be Marginalized and Treated in the same manner they treat others. The Tea Party are Traitors, they are not Americans.
See no evil
November 16th, 2011
4:33 pm
Once again the Tea Party is trying to tell someone else how they should run their business. Isn’t that what they are against? Kettle calling the pot black is what it sounds like to me. Chances are the waitress is supporting the Tea party has has a feeling of entitlement like all of the rest of the Tea Party. You know, the you can’t tell me what to do, I’m a flag waving American by God!!! That is fine and well as long as you don’t carry that to work with you. You can’t have that kind of attitude and expect to keep a job anywhere, not just at the Outback.
TallaDawg
November 16th, 2011
4:34 pm
Oh yeah, the Tea Party is a bunch of hypocrits … that’s why.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 16th, 2011
4:34 pm
my statement was not racist, it was a business decision based upon personal experience. If it makes some people feel better to include others, European tourists generally tip like sh*t too..it is not customary over there..and as a server at the time, all I cared about was the tip. I’m not a people person..when i have to feign caring and smile at strangers, I expect remuneration. Everyone got the same level of service from me unless i recognized a bad tipper from a prior visit and they were dead to me.
I also am not one who said Outback owed her anything..but I would ask that they drop the dated crocodile Dundee crap..you were started by a group of chili’s franchisees in Florida..
Michael Marr
November 16th, 2011
4:39 pm
Non lawyers discussing free speech are usually wrong but always amusing.
Herman Cain
November 16th, 2011
4:44 pm
Only a T-bagger party member would bring up race when this article has nothing to do with race. You can wear whatever you like as lone as it’s not viewed as offensive to others.
Maybe Herman Cain touched her and now she wants her money
Devil's Advocate
November 16th, 2011
4:58 pm
I don’t know though, I’d take my chances serving large groups of blacks. You guys must not see how the rich ones love to make it rain! Dropping $20K in 15 minutes and stuff. You could make out with some nice dough on the right party.
hey now
November 16th, 2011
5:09 pm
outback–overpriced, mediocre steak. Improve quality, lower prices.
Outback Steakhouse=Crap
November 16th, 2011
9:13 pm
Outback Steakhouse:
No Rules, Just LEFT.
Outback Steakhouse=Crap
November 16th, 2011
9:15 pm
Obama=Feces
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 16th, 2011
9:23 pm
@ Michael Marr
Lawyers discussing ANYTHING other than the finer points of douche-baggery is amusing.
Traniqua
November 16th, 2011
9:33 pm
The company says she was not terminated because of a bracelet. Why wouldn’t we believe that? More likely the woman was let go because of other issues and the bracelet is merely her lame excuse.
Anyone who’s been a manager or supervisor for any length of time will run into situations like this.
Publius
November 17th, 2011
4:18 am
Folks, I have firsthand knowledge of this situation and she was absolutely not fired for the bracelet. She was a marginal and confrontational employee who had two guest complaints (for being ignored) at the same time. One table mentioned the bracelet, but it is absolutely not the reason she was fired. And to the person who says Outback doesn’t cook their own steaks, you’re a moron.
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November 17th, 2011
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true american
November 17th, 2011
7:02 am
The truth is we were not there. We don’t know what happened. Everyone has an agenda. Where has our moral values in this country gone?
Mayretter local
November 17th, 2011
1:04 pm
to the people complaining about profiling of customers from a waiter’s point of view, it is entirely correct the majority of the time. and if you don’t think so, you must have worked in a place where the prices were high enough to prevent the slouches from coming in – lucky you. yes there are white and other flavored ffolkes who’d tip poorly, but the majority of the time, you’d bring them 10 refills of orange fanta, all the bread they could stuff in their purse, and then get maybe a dollar an adult, and nothing for the 2+ kids that were there… cheapskates…
ttnh
November 17th, 2011
8:08 pm
I am wondering if it even happened.. I hope the 9/12 teaparty will check out these things.. they should remember and know who they are up against in this Nation.. do they know?..Is the teapartyexpress a legitimate tea party ?..
another comment
November 18th, 2011
11:20 pm
truth is fat black women are the absolute worse tippers, often leaving nothing. They would rather eat than tip the wait staff anything. The best tippers are white males traveling alone on business and white women who have waited tables before.
Tom Saunders
November 19th, 2011
10:38 am
It’s great that Obama was finally shamed into wearing a flag lapel pin. Now if we just get him to salute and pronounce “Corpsman” correctly.
John
November 22nd, 2011
9:59 am
Another reason I don’t support Outback is they offshored jobs from their Tampa office.
A lot of people don’t know that, they were very quiet about it since they did it in small numbers at a time.