I’d like to see the text of their proposal. I wouldn’t be surprised if the word “discrimination” was in there, as the kid harped on the employee that had different shoes.
What they learned in school was probably - list of demands, sit-in, strike, lawsuit. A sequence to follow if demands are not met. A path any employer could see coming and want to nip in the bud.
There was probably a lot of verbal b*tching and moaning preceding this, especially in regards to the excepted employee. At their group termination it was revealed there was a medical reason.
Even I anticipated that, but maybe because I’m older. These dummies don’t realize that such exceptions exist and the employer is also responsible for maintaining that employees “privacy”.
You raise a really good point — they probably mentioned “discrimination”, thinking that would increase their chances of being taken seriously.
To the company, a simple request to reconsider the dress code might have been no more than a mild annoyance, but for these kids to issue the type of veiled threat that — if asserted by a member of a protected class — would cost the company thousands in legal fees even if the claim was bogus, probably really PO’d the company and brought the hammer down.
Note to Snowflakes: unpaid interns are not a protected class. Know your limitations.