Anglican Mainstream

Letter received from a member of Tesco's staff who, for obvious reasons, wishes to remain anonymous

Let me open by apologizing for my going through the absurd necessity of using a fake email address – my employer (Tesco) has been known to take action against members of staff who are identified as making any remarks online which could be considered derogatory. (This is advice handed out by our union, USDAW – never, ever mention Tesco on Facebook, Twitter, etc). I simply cannot run the risk that my real name would be associated with the comments I am about to make. (which is not meant to question your personal integrity, it is simply a risk I cannot take).

Even in these days when basic Christian principles are see as "old hat" and "out of step", it's hard to accept some of what we are seeing -Tesco dropping support for Cancer Research and supporting homosexuality is appalling, and MANY TESCO STAFF WOULD AGREE WITH THIS.

I invite you to visit a tesco website:  home.outattesco.com  -   yes, that's a correct URL, "out" meaning it is the website for Tesco gay, lesbian, transexual, etc., staff. I note that they have attracted 700 members. Out of the thousands upon thousands of Tesco staff who are employed across the country. A mere 700. Such a minority!

Further, I, and many of my colleagues wish to ask (but cannot!) why sexual preference is relevant IN THE WORKPLACE? One might argue that what one chooses to do in the privacy of one's own home is really of no concern to anyone else, but associating sexual preferences with the working day? It is beyond belief!

A final point, I would like to quote from the outattesco website, from the section regarding their use of Facebook:  "Joining our Facebook group will be great because it will allow you to meet other GLBT staff across the Tesco group. You can chat in confidence about your experiences at Tesco, as well as find out how others have been able to get on in our company.The group is also a great way of seeking mentoring in your role, find help with any issues surrounding your sexual preference in your job, and even discover fellow members of staff in your office or store who have also joined!  Importantly, because the group is hidden, whatever you contribute to the group will not be added to your Facebook timeline or wall. Even if someone else publicly announces the group, uninvited people on Facebook will not be able to search for it successfully."

This group, which is openly promoting sexual deviancy, firstly uses the term "sexual preference". Interesting. A preference, from what I understand, is a choice. So this sexual behaviour is not, as we are led to believe, some great weight bearing down upon poor unfortunate souls coming to terms with the fact that their sexual behaviour is outside of the norm, it is THEIR CHOICE. Further, considering that we so often hear that people who indulge in this sexual behaviour are PROUD, (their festival being called PRIDE), it is interesting that Tesco operate a HIDDEN Facebook group which cannot be located by a user search. Operating in hiding I would suggest that they are not SO proud of their activity then?

However, sir, I must remind you that you will almost certainly NEVER hear a Tesco employee openly agree on this topic – it is widely known that disciplinary action INCLUDING SACKING may follow any derogatory remarks about the company made online. (in fact there was a piece on this very issue in the last issue of the union magazine).

Even though I must remain anonymous, I assure you that you have the support of myself and many other Tesco staff

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