CALGARY – The owner of a local restaurant is speaking out after disturbing allegations of discrimination appeared on social media and spread like wildfire.
A Facebook user posted a status on the social media website on Thursday, complaining a family friend with Down syndrome was recently fired from EggsOasis because of her disability.
The comment was shared by over 5,000 people in less than 24 hours – with most people reacting with disgust and contempt.
However, EggsOasis owner Noor Sadid says the allegations aren’t true.
Noor says he hired Kathryn through the Progressive Alternative Society of Calgary, and she worked at the restaurant as a dishwasher with the help of a support worker.
This week, Kathryn was asked to clean tables, but appeared to be struggling with the task – prompting customers to approach the manager asking him to get her help.
Noor says he asked Kathryn’s assistant if she would help Kathryn with the task, but she refused.
“I said, if this is how it’s working — and you are not assisting or helping her — I cannot let Kathryn get humiliated. So we won’t need your service,” explains Noor.
Both Kathyrn and her support worker left the restaurant.
On Friday, Kathryn’s mother and the executive director from the Progressive Alternative Society of Calgary visited EggsOasis to speak about the incident.
Kathryn’s mother Candace Dart maintains that she believes her daughter was fired due to insensitive comments made by a customer, an accusation that Noor still denies.
Noor says Kathryn is always welcome to return to work at EggsOasis.
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