Watch CBS News

Former Whole Foods Employee Claims He Was Fired Because Of His Islamic Faith

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A former Whole Foods employee is claiming he had to choose between his faith and his employment. A complaint on his behalf was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by the Philadelphia chapter of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Glenn Mack started working for Whole Foods in Fairmount between October 2008 and February 2011.

Glenn Mack Whole Foods
Glenn Mack claims he was fired from Whole Foods Market because of his Islamic faith. (Credit: Michelle Durham)

"When I first arrived at the store, I was warmly told I had a great smile, but I knew I would have to keep my Islamic identity a secret after overhearing some comments," Mack says. "The secret came to end when I was forced to reveal my intentions of making my once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca. The response was: you either choose your job or you choose to go and practice your religion."

Mack felt compelled to pray outside by the dumpsters instead of in a private store room.

"Whole Foods Market has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination," says Whole Foods spokesperson Kate Lowery. "While I really can't give out specific employee details for privacy reasons, I can tell you that we absolutely deny this allegation, but we continue to look at it from every angle to make sure there is consistency on our end."

Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio 1060

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.