Skimpy uniform sees Woolies cashier quit

29 August 2012

A NEWLYWED Port Elizabeth Woolworths store cashier has quit her job after she was allegedly forced to swap her traditional outfit for skintight jeans and a skimpy top.

Now her irate husband, Eric Mbinda, has blasted the upmarket food and clothing store for disrespecting their culture.

Mbinda's wife, Nomvula Jende, had pitched up at work in her traditional "makoti" outfit as part of her initiation as a new Xhosa bride.

For two weeks after the marriage ceremony, some Xhosa women only wear traditional dresses and skirts. Most of their body is covered up.

On Monday morning, a week after her wedding, Jende returned to her job at the Woolworths store in Access Park, Walmer.

She had worked at the store as a till operator for six months.

Jende had explained to management that she needed to wear the bridal outfit, and not the Woolworths uniform, for the remainder of the week. But the store manager expressed his dissatisfaction with her outfit and allegedly demanded that she change into a pair of jeans and a shirt from the storeroom.

Mbinda said the clothing was far too tight. "We were both humiliated. She must look like a Xhosa wife, not a girl," he said.

The Woolworths press office said: "We are committed to building a diverse workforce. We respect our employees and do our best to accommodate their ideas and beliefs.

"We were not aware that Mrs Jende was unhappy to wear the uniform and are investigating this matter further."

But the Bluewater Bay resident said even his wife's pleas to phone him to ask that he organise a black full-length skirt and shirt fell on deaf ears.

"Instead, she spent the day looking ridiculous. When she came home [on Monday], I knew something was wrong – but I had to persuade her to speak about it. I was so upset I couldn't eat or sleep."

Mbinda said they had then approached the store manager, who allegedly insisted it was against policy for employees to wear traditional outfits. "She [Nomvula] had no choice but to quit. We could not risk being further humiliated," he said.

Reader's Comments

Report Abuse Author: Bokkie Date: 31 August 2012 8:39

I'm sorry but if you work for Pick a Pay, Spar, Shoprite, Checkers, Edgars, Foshini, Woolworths you have to wear their uniform. Can you imagine if there is 5 different cultures working there and suddenly for some traditional reason they have to wear their traditional outfits, how that is going to look like. She should have stayed home for another week until the traditional tradition after a wedding is completed. As an employer where do you draw the line when it comes to all the different traditions?

Report Abuse Author: thirsty Date: 30 August 2012 7:09

If a company has a rule that you wear a uniform then you wear the uniform. If you can't wear the uniform sort it out with management BEFORE you get married

Report Abuse Author: BigSus Date: 29 August 2012 10:51

Aren't there any Xhosa married women at the store who could have explained this to tha management??? I'm so disappointed in the Woolies management for this. Perhaps they need to attend a Diversity workshop or something of that sort

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CULTURAL CLASHES: New bride Nomvula Jende Picture: JUDY DE VEGA

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