Oct17
It's the Steel Toes, Not the Skin, Stupid!
Posted at 04:36 PM | Permalink
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Comments (9)
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TMZ might be on to something, frankly. Besides the composition of the memo itself (which is making me a little, ahem, sic), there's the fact that the Chrysler folks are totally ignoring all the many rugged, non-porous leather alternatives out there. Of course, nobody on a factory floor should be wearing peep-toe stilettos, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with a good pleather—which, you might notice, is specifically outlawed. Work boots work if they have steel toes and are made of a sturdy material; the skins of dead, abused animals are not required.
Plus, as PETA Director of Corporate Affairs Matt Prescott points out in his letter to Chrysler—oh yes, of course we wrote them a letter—this policy might "discriminate against employees whose religious beliefs forbid or discourage the wearing of leather such as Jains, many Hindus and Buddhists, and others"—not to mention those, for example, who refuse to wear skins for other ethical reasons (hmm … do I know anyone like that?).
So seriously, Chrysler, discriminating against employees while promoting an industry that is cruel to animals and toxic to the environment? Not cool. But the news this morning is cool: Chrysler did consider changing its tune and says that no one who doesn't adhere to the leather rule will be punished.
They might also want to consider hiring a proofreader, but we're content with the cruelty-free boots.
Posted by Amanda Schinke
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That IS stupid.
My workplace required us to get non-slip shoes, but a couple of the ones available were fortunately not made of leather.
Posted by: Canaduck | October 17, 2008 05:16 PM
In Canada, this could be a Human Rights violation - discrimination based on religious beliefs. And anyone in a unionized environment could file a grievance immediately, based on the same grounds. Stupid, stupid, stupid... (not to mention cruel, cruel cruel...).
Posted by: Michele | October 17, 2008 10:43 PM
While shoes made from dead skin (leather) can absorb toxic chemicals and trap them next the surface of your foot, many pleather work boots repel chemicals and keep people's feet safer. And, as you said, it's the steel toe that is going to protect people from heavy objects, not the dead flesh.
Posted by: Matt | October 18, 2008 07:09 AM
could be worse you know.. like those so- called 'Croc sandals'.. now those should really be outlawed !!
Posted by: liz | October 18, 2008 04:49 PM
EXCELLENT PETA, ya did it again!!
There's a FINE line between ignorance and arrogance and they BOTH must be BATTLED!!!
Peace, Love & Truth
Posted by: Shari | October 18, 2008 08:49 PM
The same thing happened where I work. Ironically its an animal hospital and they required us to wear leather shoes because according to them leather is the only shoe material that is acceptable to use around animals and their messes. I explained how ironic and stupid it was and they changed the rule.
Posted by: Eric | October 18, 2008 09:11 PM
That is insane. What difference does it make if the shoe is leather? Open toed shoes are still dangerous in certain environments regardless of what they're made of.
What's next? You can only wear sweaters if they're made of fur?
Posted by: Jess | October 18, 2008 11:11 PM
I must again remind all of you, if the mod is brave enough to post a comment that he or she doesn't like, that if it weren't for animal skins, our forefathers would have frozen during the last ice age. Think about it. Wake up and smell the bacon!
Posted by: Rick | October 23, 2008 09:04 PM
Good point Rick. You can't really argue with that.
The fact is the people at Chrysler do not take decisions on safety lightly. They choose to mandate leather soled shoes/boots for a reason.
Posted by: Kurt K | November 10, 2008 08:46 PM