In the case of one Portland, Oregon, doughnut shop, the answer to this question is, “Yes, vegan discrimination is a real thing.” However, the owner of the company has done his HR homework and covered his bases to avoid a charge of unlawful discrimination based on disability or religion.
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Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai posted a “help wanted” ad looking for additional help for its growing business. The ad included the following stipulation: “No non-medical, non-religious dietary restrictions.” It’s that one little phrase that has caused a social media witch hunt, but also the same phrase that has saved the employer from major discrimination lawsuits.
Nate Snell, owner of Pip’s, claims he has nothing against vegans, but he wants his employees to be able to taste the product and report back to the customer about how good it is. “If the employee was to say something like ‘well, I don’t eat meat or I don’t eat gluten, or I don’t eat nuts or dairy,’ any one of those things would preclude them from being able to give you an honest answer of what that tastes like or how good it is,” Snell said to NWCN news.
According to Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries, “dietary preference is not protected under employment laws.” It’s not protected like sexual orientation or religious preference is, and that’s why it’s legal for Snell to be so picky. Snell adds, “Personally, I would rather just serve people well and treat them well and if people are going to be angry, that’s nothing I have control over.”
By the way, check out the compensation and benefits package Pip’s offers. “Yes, you can make $40,000 a year working in a doughnuts & chai shop….” And they say America runs on Dunkin’ !