Walmart Worker Fired for Anti-Muslim Facebook Rant

A Walmart worker has been fired for anti-Muslim remarks he made on Facebook. Along with a picture of Muslim women shopping at a Walmart in traditional dress, the assistant manager's expletive-laced posting read: "Halloween came early this year... do they really have to f---in dress like that... your [sic] in my country... get that f---in s--- off!!!!!"
Drawing praise for taking responsibility, Walmart terminated the employee, 54-year-old Terry Earsing, from its store in Hamburg, New York.
Employees should take away a few lessons from this worker's debacle.
You Can Get Fired for Racist Remarks
Unlawful discrimination at work can be a valid reason for terminating an at-will employee.
Typically, an employer will conduct an internal investigation first. It's also standard for employers to keep a record of the allegations as well as the recommended discipline (i.e., their decision to fire the employee).
In this case, Earsing was fired soon after an investigation was launched, reports New York Daily News.
You Can Get Fired for Violating Company Policy
Large companies like Walmart often have anti-discrimination policies in place. When an employee violates that policy, the employer has a legitimate reason to give him or her the boot.
When dealing with complaints of racism, a business will often turn to the policy to determine what form of discipline is appropriate for a non-compliant employee.
Don't Shoot Yourself in the Foot via Social Media
It's incredible how many young people are apathetic about their social media profiles ruining their job prospects.
Earsing, who wasn't even some young naive teen, managed to destroy his career from one photo coupled with incredibly derogatory remarks -- and he was the one who shared the photo and comments online.
If you're a scummy racist jerkface, keep your scummy racist feelings off social media -- if you want to keep your job, that is. (While you're at it, delete photos of you getting wasted, doing drugs and licking Taco Bell shells before serving them to customers.)
Remember, all it takes is a screenshot of your post to tip off an advocacy group -- here, the Council on American-Islamic Relations -- before it ends up ruining your career.
Related Resources:
- Walmart Fires Employee Over Anti-Muslim Facebook Rant (The Associated Press)
- 29% Fear Social Media Will Get Them Fired: Survey (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- 5 Reasons You May Want to Quit Facebook (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Papa John's Racist Voicemail Spurs CEO Apology (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)