A boycott against Bath and Body Works

October 26, 12:25 PMSacramento Pagan Spirituality ExaminerBlue Aldrich

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Bath and Body Works store in Ohio
Wikimedia Commons

Currently there is a boycott being promoted against Bath and Body Works. The popular company is being sued for religious persecution. One of their managers in Connecticut was fired for observing Sahmain. The suit was filed on October 15th of this year.

Sahmain occurs on October 31st and is considered by many Pagans to be the New Year. The plaintiff, Gina Uberti, in this case is Wiccan and had been prior to hiring with this company. Every year for the last six years of her eight year employment, she would take the week of Sahmain off and head to Salem, Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday. Her leave had been approved almost a year prior to the incident.

In 2008, a new manager had been hired into Uberti’s store and had called Uberti to discuss why she was unavailable to her employers during her vacation. She also expressed her disappointment in the fact that Uberti would take a vacation during such a critical time in the company. Uberti informed her manager that the leave was approved almost a full year before. After her manager inquired as to why she would take that particular week off, Uberti disclosed her religious beliefs and explained what she believed and why October 31st was such an important holiday.

Her manager replied, “that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, let me ask you where your priorities should have been?” Uberti asked what was so ridiculous and was told, “Well, you will need a new career in your new year” and “I will be damned if I have a devil-worshipper on my team.” Uberti was fired shortly after the phone call.

Discrimination as blatant as this raised a cry of alarm through the Pagan Community across the country. A popular blogging site, “The Witches Hunt” carries on leg of the boycott request. (http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/10/bath-and-body-works-manager-doesnt-want-to-work-with-satanists.html)  Individuals in Sacramento are also boycotting Bath and Body Works. Many Pagans are outraged. Bath and Body Works has been very popular and the Pagan Community is shocked to see such a modern company having such a closed minded view of a portion of their customer base. The Examiner will keep a close watch on this case and report as it unfolds further.

To see the full complaint please go to:  http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/10/23/Wiccan.pdf