Kodak Employee Fired For Calling "Coming Out Day" "Offensive and Disgusting"

News Source 13 ^ | October 21, 2002 | Mike Doria

[rochester]

Rochester, NY - A Greece man, who was fired a few days ago from Eastman Kodak, said giving his opinion in an e-mail lead to his termination. Kodak's diversity group sent out an e-mail asking employees to "be supportive" of colleagues who choose to come out on Gay and Lesbian Coming-Out Day. Rolf Szabo replied to the memo telling the company not to send him this type of information and that he found it "disgusting and offensive."

"I said it and I meant it. I'm not going to take it back," Szabo said.

Although Szabo does not condone the gay lifestyle, he said this isn't a gay issue. Rather, he said, it's an issue of Kodak crossing the line via e-mail.

"I don't need this to do my job. It has nothing to do with gay. It could've been any other topic. It's just that enough is enough. We really don't need this to do our jobs," he said.

Szabo said Kodak wanted him to sign a letter admitting he was wrong. He said after he refused, he was fired. A Kodak spokesperson said Kodak won't comment about personnel issues, but did say that any issues related to the treatment of employees are universal.

Szabo, who had been with Kodak for 23 years working with metals, said he'll get legal advice whether his rights were violated.

Labor and Employment attorney Matt Fusco said that he thinks Szabo has very few options and no chance of winning a lawsuit because employers cannot discriminate.

"If an employer goes a step further and promote diversity--you have no right to oppose that policy," Fusco said.

"The Eastman Kodak Company gives me a paycheck; they don't own me. I'll go somewhere else for a paycheck, that's all," Szabo said.

Whether or not he ends up filing a lawsuit, Szabo said he will pursue the issue claiming Kodak is wrong for catering to a select group versus a larger Kodak community.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

What's going to be next? Bring-your-same-sex-partner-to-work day? I feel for this guy, and applaud him for sticking to his convictions.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Kodak makes good film, but film will not be able to compete with digital photography for much longer.

[sit-rep]

I would seriously contemplate breaking out the heavy artilliary.

SR

[lds23]

The Greaseman?

That is revolting.

Waddle doodle.

[jigsaw]

No more Kodak film for me, thank you.

[HamiltonJay]

Hope this guy sues them for a bundle. Is it any wonder I don't use or buy Kodak products anymore?

[eno_]

Kodak is, as was pointed out in the article, within their rights to fire this guy.

That said, it was an insanely stupid and costly thing to do, even if they do not get sued. Now Kodak is known as a company that values rigid dogma over a longtime employee with specialist skills. Just the kind of place I want to do business with - NOT.

Kodak would have been much better off taking this guy aside and saying "You are free to think that way, just keep it quiet at work." They should fire some morons at HR, too.

[Lou L]

Szabo said Kodak wanted him to sign a letter admitting he was wrong

What kind of Gestapo tactics are those? What would that sort of documentation accomplish?

[TXBubba]

I think they could sue under the angle of sexual harrassment. After all the e-mail did have to do with sex and not just diversity.

[dd5339]

Looks like it's time for Fuji film!

Semper Fi

[TC Rider]

I admire his convictions, but he's still toast.

You don't poke the boss in the eye.

In the meantime, I've been wanting to try some of that Fujifilm.

[Publius6961]

I am saving this for reading later, but just off the top of my head, experience has shown us that "offensive and disgusting" is only effective in a lwasuit, where it can be repeated over and over, and, of course, with the cooperation of the media.

[Callahan]

I wonder if there's a "Coming Out Day" for people who are born-again Christians or new NRA members. Maybe Kodak should send out an email encouraging employees to be supportive.

[Taxman]

Yup. FujiFilm for me, too.

C'YA, Kodak.

[Gritty]

Labor and Employment attorney Matt Fusco said that he thinks Szabo has very few options and no chance of winning a lawsuit because employers cannot discriminate.

Really?

It seems Mr. Szabo is the one here who is being truly discriminated against!

[txzman]

'No more Kodak film for me, thank you.'

Ditto for me. At least they did something blatant enough to alert me so that my money can go elsewhere. Fuji is a perfect alternative and is eating Kodak's lunch anyway.

Let's see if we can't help them along into the dumper. (Nothing personal against current Kodak employees - but enough is enough).

[Vidalia]

Fuji Film surpassed Kodak many years ago.

Kodak got artsey-cutesy (maybe now we know why) with differing types of cameras and film whereas Fuji stuck to improving the standards.

This story is just another example of internal problems at Kodak.

[AK2KX]

"If an employer . . . promotes diversity--you have no right to oppose that policy," Fusco said.

WTF?!?!

[mlmr]

What kind of Gestapo tactics are those? What would that sort of documentation accomplish

Just the sort of Gestapo tactic their lawyers contrived to try to hold themselves blameles for this gross injustice to someone who does not want to support immorality.