“Kroger Corporate says employees can not wear flag masks but they can wear BLM masks!”
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Kroger employees can’t wear BLM or American flag masks
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- The uniform policy at Kroger grocery stores prohibits employees from wearing anything with visible pictures, logos, words or abbreviations.
In August, we debunked a claim that Olive Garden employees were banned from wearing face coverings depicting the American flag while Black Lives Matter masks were OK.
A recent Facebook post makes a similar claim about Kroger grocery stores.
"Kroger Corporate says employees can not wear flag masks but they can wear BLM masks!" the Sept. 5 post says. "Good bye Kroger! Boycott. Boycott boycott.
This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
In a statement, Kroger told us that the Facebook post isn’t true.
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Rather, employees are prohibited from wearing uniforms or masks with any visible pictures, logos, words or abbreviations, according to the company.
"Our uniform policies have not changed," Kroger said in the statement, but the company has produced wristbands that were distributed to employees in July to represent "our commitment to Standing Together with our Black associates, customers and communities against racism in all forms." Another wristband represents the company’s values: integrity, honesty, diversity, inclusion, safety and respect.
"Many associates have expressed a desire to stand together with their communities and show their support through their clothing, facial coverings and accessories," the company said. "While we are not adjusting our existing dress code, rules or policies, we acknowledge our associates’ feedback and want all to feel supported and heard."
On Aug. 31, some Kroger employees at a store in Michigan said they were told to cover up their Black Lives Matter shirts and prohibited from wearing Black Lives Matter masks, a Fox TV affiliate reported.
"Management came up and told me they support the cause but I need to put an apron on top of that shirt," the station quoted an employee as saying.
We rate this Facebook post False.
Our Sources
Facebook posts, Sept. 5, 2020
PolitiFact, Olive Garden hasn’t banned American flag masks, Sept. 10, 2020
Fox 2 Detroit, Bloomfield Kroger employees say they were not allowed to wear Black Lives Matter shirts, masks, Aug. 31, 2020
Chang.org, Let us wear BLM masks at work! visited Sept. 14, 2020
Statement from Kroger, Sept. 14, 2020
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Kroger employees can’t wear BLM or American flag masks
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