Post Office Orders Letter Carrier to Stop Wearing Santa Suit — He Refuses
- Posted on December 22, 2011 at 11:00pm by
Becket Adams
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Leave it to Washington state, a desolate place where the sun never shines, to produce a story about the persecution of Santa Claus.
Bob McLean has been doing his Santa routine for nearly a decade without complaint. But this year, his jolly old St. Nick shtick drew the ire of a coworker who complained that McLean wasn’t in compliance with the dress code.
The idea that someone could get in trouble for dressing up as Santa Claus has many shaking their heads in disbelief. But then again, this is coming from the same state that believes the sun only comes out when the gods are displeased.
In response to the stickler’s complaint, the postmaster ordered McLean to stop wearing the Santa costume.
“I don’t understand why,” says McLean. “Santa Claus is secular, it’s not any religion.”
Despite his supervisor’s orders, he has no plans to ditch the Santa suit. Needless to say, his customers are happy to see him continue the tradition (as would be anyone who’s not offended by joy or the laughter of children [i.e. people not from Washington state]).
“I love seeing Santa,” says Rachel Young, manager of Wee Tots. “It does bring cheer. It brings something to old Main Street that other places don’t have.”
“I think it‘s a wonderful thing that he’s doing, and I support him,” says Hernandez.
Still, there is a possibility that he may lose his job over what can only be described as the most mild-mannered form of public disobedience.
“I mean it’s possible,” says McLean. “But I don‘t think they’re going to win.”
(h/t KSN NBC)
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Ilmare Everyoung
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 2:45pmAll he has to do is call 1-800-EAP4YOU and he can get out of trouble. He may have to go to counseling for a while.
Report Post »kevinj319
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 1:20pmCome on. He’s at work. If his employer doesn’t want him to wear the suit, he shouldn’t wear it. That’s not an “attack on Christmas”, that’s being subordinate to your boss. In addition, since when is the Christian crowd on Santa’s side? I thought all this Santa stuff took attention away from Jesus.
That’s the ticket… he should deliver mail dressed as Jesus!
Anyway, yes, it’s a stupid thing for his superiors to pick a fight over, but when your boss says you can’t dress in costume at work, you can’t dress in costume at work.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:39pmtotally ass-i-nine…..Make a real statement , A$$-wipe.
Report Post »hypnos
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:47pmHow about making the dumb SOB who complained work on Christmas since in his or hers mind it is just another day. By the way no holiday pay since it doesn’t exist.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 8:35pmHey Mr. or Ms co worker who are you ? SHOW YOUR SELF! State your complaint and your evidence that this should not be done. Don’t hide, you started this, lets see your legitimacy! Just what have you to back up that this is harming any one in any way ??? WE THE PEOPLE ENJOY THIS DININE WONDERFULNESS!I as an individual want to know, why you, find this so offensive, show youir self coward! Ho, Ho, Ho, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU, COWARD.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:52pmchoose your battles well, but fight them with everything you have.
The post office is a gov’t agency and has a uniform in place. BUT, if they don’t enforce it for all (such as those that wear, say, jeans, then they cannot enforce it for anyone.
If you believe in it,,,,stand up for it.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:37amActually, @Silent…
My postmen haven’t worn uniforms in years! In THREE cities!
I haven’t met my new one here in Southlake yet, but, the P.O. has hired subcontractors, and has dropped dress code and uniform for many of its workers (note I did not say “employees”.)
If he is a subcontractor without a uniform, then he is free to wear what he wants.
If he is an employee with a uniform, I’m secretly glad to see his disobedience! :-)
RESTORING LOVE , July 26 27 28 , Dallas, TX
Report Post »http://www.meetup.com/MercuryOneHQ
Do you GBTV?
The_Postal
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 6:13pmI work for USPS. Good for him. At least where I am we have never been told not to say Merry Christmas or any of that PC crap and honestly if they did, we’d pretty much tell them to blow it out their butts…. but festively of course.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:01pmI would tell them to P.Off!
Report Post »asmurff
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 4:32pmWe have got to stop the attack on Christmas, this man isn’t doing anything wrong. Considering the daily appearance of many many postal employees, his Santa suit appears to be in good condition and worn properly. Start writing to the Postmaster General t make him stop this bull.
Report Post »JTMailman
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 4:20pmI was a 30+ year letter carrier. In that time there was always a few guys who wore red hats and occasionally a full red suit. I had acquired a small collection of ties that were appropriately blue, but with holiday patterns in place of the small dots of the regulation neckwear. Small wreaths on one, candy canes on another… Very subtle, actually. One year the station manager noticed one of my ties and blew a gasket and threatened to send me home for being out of uniform. “Oh, really? The floor manager just complimented me and said the tie looked great.“ ”Oh. OK, then”
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 2:11pmHow about the postmaster worrying as to why the post office can’t deliver mail economically instead of santa suits.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
qzak491
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:26pmNo one seems to be concerned with how it will affend the people on his route if he is told he can’t wear his Santa Suit. One person complained, so what, why should the majority have to passify this one idiot. Where I live all mailmen wore them one year and the dress code didn’t seem to matter then. This sounds like the supervisor wanted to kiss some butt and got someone to complain. Then he could do what would make him look good to he bosses and make the guy quit wearing the costume.
Report Post »I SMELL OSAMA HERE THE STENCH IS UNMISTAKEABLE.
justangry
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:26pmYeah my mailman looks like this gentleman and does the same thing. My daughter remembers him from last year and keeps waiting by the window to see him every day. I hope the Grinches haven’t stopped him from doing it this year. The kids love it!
Report Post »alwayshappy
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:51pmWhile a cute gesture for the holidays, as a government employee he is out of uniform and should be sanctioned. If he refuses to comply, fire him!
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 4:53pmBahh humbug!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 5:03pmNone of our carriers wear a uniform anymore. They haven’t for years.
Report Post »CougarNick78
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 7:29pmblow it out your arse, alwayscrappy….. Yeah, government employee….. wow, you’re a real piece of work, pal. Humbugs like you ruin Christmas.
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:48pmThanks, Bob McLean, for standing up; YOU got Balls! Wish we have 537 of them in DC!
Report Post »CEM
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 1:05pmNot complying with the job’s dress code deserves termination. He can be Santa on his own time.
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:01pmstop using US postal we need to ban together to protect our traditions -they keep hiring all these foreigners
Report Post »B-Neil
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:28amYou go Santa GOD BLESS YOU. CARRY ON McDUFF p.s. MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS to all even the atheists
Report Post »WTSpike
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:49amWell, at least he’s not dressing up as Jesus. That would violate the true spirit of Chr….err….Xmas!
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:19amI do believe that“x” in one form is the Greek for “christ”
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:30pmCorrect it’s the first letter of the greek word for christ.
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:50pmBikerr, we Southern Baptist would say the X takes Christ out of Christmas! Merry Christmas to ALL!
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:14amOK, Postmaster General, fire the one who gave the order!
Report Post »Rick300
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 10:12amMerry Christmas!
Report Post »Duey2000
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:37amUnfortunately, the post office will probably win. He is violating a dress code policy. Regardless of what the people on his route think or the fact that this isn’t really offensive, he is breaking a rule, being insubordinate, and publicly speaking out about an internal matter for the post office and his superiors which could be seen as defamating them. I support him, and I think that it is a stupid rule, but unfortunately in the world that we live in today filled with hate and anger and jealousy he will most likely lose his job.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 11:21amThe postal worker will probably just get a reprimand,knowing how unions work.
Report Post »virgie morgan
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:30amThey are attacking anything associated with Christmas this year; even if it has nothing to do with Jesus. The “progessives” don’t want people to celebrate Christmas because they are attacking religion. It doesn’t matter that Santa has nothing to do with Jesus, he reminds people of the real reason for the season, therefore he must go too. No religion or faith on this earth is allowed to be offended except Christainity. It’s a war on Christains plain and simple. Next they will insist that the Christmas holiday be abolished altogether as it will offend musliums.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on December 23, 2011 at 9:16amLet’s see if the Unions support him…
Report Post »