Are there any legal issues regarding the Chicago man fired for wearing a Packer tie?

[Poiuyt]

You've probably heard the story about the man working in a Chicago area car dealership who wore a Packer tie the day after the NFC Championship game. His boss told him to take it off, and when he didn't, he was fired.

I'm curious as to whether or not an employee can be fired for something like this (at will employment), or if this is a wrongful termination. Are there freedom of speech or civil rights issues involved?

This is all mute, of course, because the man already found another job. I'm just wondering what the law says.

[madinmaryland]

1. Yes he can. He was specifically asked to remove the tie and he didn't.

Sounds like both the boss and the employee are jerks.

[TZ]

2. Depends on if you are an at will work state I think

Some states you can be fired for any non-discriminatory issues, some states firing has to have a legitimate cause outside of wearing inappropriate clothing. I'm not sure what Illinois law is here.
Oh and its MOOT point..not mute...:P

[GusBob]

3. if its all mute we shouldn't be making any noise about it

sorry could not resist

[madinmaryland]

4. There is always a grammar natsi in the house!!

BTW, Welcome to DU!

[ProfessorGAC]

5. In Illinois, Yes

It would be a legal problem for the employer if he had not been given some reasonable explanation as to why he was asked to remove the tie, i would guess.

But, in a state with "at will" laws as explicit as those here, it's pretty hard to establish "wrongful". Of course, anybody can sue anybody else over anything. But, winning the case is problematic since the guy was told take it off, he was told why he should take it off, and then refused.

The company could easily explain that it was for insubordination and refusal to adopt the customer service image the dealership wanted to portray.

I would guess the case would then be pretty much over.
GAC

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. Apparently there were. The dealership wanted to hire him back

almost immediately.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Could it be because

refusal to adopt the customer service image the dealership wanted to portray was an angle the employee could had sought?

That is if the dealership had previously allowed employees to wear items portraying the Bears?