Can You Be A Packer Fan in Bear-Town at Work?

I saw this on the news the other day and had conflicting feelings about it. On one hand, the employee should have the freedom to express themselves as long as they're within the dress code. However, to wear something like that to work when you know the majority of the customers seeing you isn't going to like it is pretty questionable. (The article states the customers were pretty good natured about it, though.)

In a way the manager DID give him a choice, so it's difficult to feel a lot of sympathy when he could have just changed ties. I'm not sure I love any team well enough to risk my job over it, but I may not be in the majority. At the very least, he'll probably be able to pick up a position somewhere else quickly.

There is no way the employer was justified in firing the guy. If he is violating dress code and has been warned, he should lose his job. He is entitled to his own opinion and if he likes the packers, he should be able to wear that tie.

My only problem with all this is that the Employee was asked multiple times to remove the tie. He had only been with the Company for a month and a half.. and he refused to do as they asked over and over. ive times from what I read. That is insubordiation.. why on earth would the guy just not remove the tie? On top of that, the Dealership did a lot of business with Bears personel, including providing vehicles to them, so it wasn't a bright thing to do in the first place.. you don't rub it into one of your best customers that they just lost a huge game like that. then refuse to take off the tie over and over.. then act like they just fired you for no reason. I don't think it was unreseasonably for them. A new employee, given the opportunity to take it off multpile times and warned that he would be terminated..then gets terminated.. and is shocked. In this economy you should be doing everything to keep your job, not stupid things to lose it. Just my thoughts

My only problem with all this is that the Employee was asked multiple times to remove the tie. He had only been with the Company for a month and a half.. and he refused to do as they asked over and over. ive times from what I read. That is insubordiation.. why on earth would the guy just not remove the tie? On top of that, the Dealership did a lot of business with Bears personel, including providing vehicles to them, so it wasn't a bright thing to do in the first place.. you don't rub it into one of your best customers that they just lost a huge game like that. then refuse to take off the tie over and over.. then act like they just fired you for no reason. I don't think it was unreseasonably for them. A new employee, given the opportunity to take it off multpile times and warned that he would be terminated..then gets terminated.. and is shocked. In this economy you should be doing everything to keep your job, not stupid things to lose it. Just my thoughts

It seems like a real petty reason to fire a salesperson. So much time is spent in hiring and training why would you fire someone for their tie?