Waterstones is in hot water after terminating the employment of Tilly Fitzgerald, a bookseller and book influencer known for her TikTok page, Tilly Loves Books. The controversy began when Fitzgerald made a public statement indicating that she would discard an author's books due to their gender-critical views, which led to her dismissal for violating Waterstones' social media policy.
Fitzgerald clarified that her statement was not about removing the author's books from the store's shelves but simply reflected her personal decision not to support the author individually. The situation has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with many questioning Waterstones' handling of the issue and arguing that Fitzgerald's comments were within her rights of free speech.
Supporters of Fitzgerald and the LGBTQ+ community have rallied behind her, urging Waterstones to reconsider its decision and reinstate her. Some individuals have criticized the bookstore for what they perceive as unfair treatment and have called for a boycott of the author's books in solidarity with Fitzgerald. Additionally, questions have been raised about Waterstones' internal consistency regarding employees' social media activities.
6 Comments
Matzomaster
Waterstones' decision is a slap in the face to the LGBTQ+ community. They claim to be allies, but this action speaks louder than words. 😠
Karamba
It's important to remember that Waterstones is not obligated to support every employee's personal beliefs. They have the right to make decisions that they believe are in the best interest of the company. 🤷♀️
Rotfront
Moving forward, it's important for companies like Waterstones to clearly communicate their social media policies and expectations to employees. This can help prevent future misunderstandings and conflicts. 🤝
KittyKat
Firing someone for not wanting to support an author's views is outrageous. We should have the right to choose who we support, without fear of losing our jobs. ✊
Eugene Alta
Ultimately, this is a private matter between Waterstones and Tilly. It's important to respect their right to handle the situation as they see fit. 🤷♀️
ArtemK
This is a complex situation with no easy answers. It's important to consider all perspectives before forming an opinion. 🤷♀️