Brookfield Zoo Fires Employee For Racial Comment In Social Media Post
Brookfield Zoo officials revealed on Tuesday that they had fired an employee for allegedly writing a racial comment about the zoo customers in a social media post.
The photo showed a selfie of one of the concession stand workers wearing a Brookfield Zoo hat and shirt. The photo’s caption read, “Wassup y’all? At work serving these rude a** white people.”
“We do not tolerate this behavior,” a zoo spokeswoman Sondra Katzen said, according to the Chicago Tribune.
On Tuesday, June 9, the Brookfield Zoo issued a statement on their Facebook page regarding their employee’s post, revealing that they had taken immediate action to terminate the employee.
“Yesterday, we became aware of the actions of a single employee which we agree are unacceptable,” the statement read. “This employee’s statements in social media are in violation of our policies and do not reflect our institution’s values. We have zero tolerance for these kinds of divisive behaviors. We treat all employment matters confidentially, but rest assured that we have taken prompt action to remedy the situation.”
“We hope you continue to hold Brookfield Zoo in high regard and not let the actions of one individual overshadow the longstanding good work of the Chicago Zoological Society.”
Many of the zoo’s regular customers commented on their statment, saying they will stand behind the zoo’s decision and will continue visiting.
Brookfield Zoo takes “prompt action” after employee’s post to social media sparks outrage http://t.co/xCGtPSy8di pic.twitter.com/6LA5hbBnAq
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) June 9, 2015
“The zoo can not be held accountable for what their employees post but can take action of the matter once they are aware of it,” one user wrote. “Thank you Brookfield zoo for your actions. I really do not to wish anyone to lose their job but to educate them on racism and social media.”
“We will still be at the zoo and buy memberships!” wrote another. “The actions of one do not reflect the views of all the employees. Great job Brookfield Zoo!”
Katzen explained that the worker was a “seasonal employee” who is no longer employed by the company.
The worker’s post garnered 19,000 likes, and a mixture of comments. After receiving an extensive amount of backlash for her comment, the worker responded in another post by saying, “I don’t give a f*** ppl can say whatever about whatever but I know what I am & racist is not one of em.” The worker’s Facebook page has since been deleted.
[Photo via alisafarov / Shutterstock.com]
