LGBTQ member calls out workplace discrimination in Jollibee

[Editor’s note: This article, upon request of the subject person interviewed, has applied the use of gender neutral pronouns.]

A member of the LGBTQ community alleges that Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) discriminated against their employment because of how they expressed their sexuality.

In a Facebook post, Bunny Cadag, who identifies as gender queer, recounted in chronological order how they were hired to do transcription work but were asked not to appear at the office.

On June 30, the complainant said that they were invited as a transcriber at an evaluation interview of JFC for three days through Human Capital Development (HCD). On the first day, they and two others were able to complete the work and were properly compensated for it.

On July 3, Cadag received a call from a certain Louie Angsico of HCD claiming that JFC was not willing to accept LGBTQ members in their office. The reasons cited were that JFC was “not ready” to accept LGBTQ culture and that the company held Catholic beliefs.

Angsico told them that the company was willing to have Cadag finish the work through a recording.

When Cadag asked the identity of the person who ordered that they could not show up at the office, Angsico ignored queries even via a follow-up email on July 11.

On the same day, the complainant took it upon themselves to pass a complaint-letter through Jollibee’s official Facebook page and website.

On July 14, Cadag, still without a response from Angsico, called JFC’s customer service. They were attended to by a certain Cherry who said that the complaint letter has been seen, and requested a few more days for the investigation.

After two weeks without word from either HCD or JFC, Cadag took to the Commission on Human Rights at NCR and submitted the complaint letter, emails, and texts with Angsico. The CHR said it is still looking for an investigator.

Cadag’s statement also appealed that they be recognized for the work they do as a person rather than how they express their gender identity. The statement also pointed out that this experience also represented what a lot of members of the LGBTQ community also experience in other workplaces.

Jollibee has since issued a statement, where the company “sincerely apologized” to Cadag regarding the “unfortunate incident.”

“We assure everyone that this is an isolated incident as JFC does not in any way tolerate any disrespect, discrimination, harassment, violation or intimidation of any person, consistent with our company policy on diversity and inclusion,” it stressed.

It also stated that they have contacted Cadag on the matter.

Some netizens insist that the fast food company should go beyond an apology. People are appealing that the company should instead cite steps it will take to solve the issue and avoid discriminatory situations.

Cadag told Inquirer.net that Jollibee already contacted them and that they have a lawyer and a CHR point person who will serve as legal counsel and mediator in the investigation.

The Anti-Discrimination Bill which aims to criminalize discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community in settings such as workplaces and schools has yet to be passed into law. JB

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