http://kezi.com/news/local/219142
July 25, 2011
By Gia Vang
*
EUGENE, Ore. -- Two Junction City sisters are asking an Eugene Walmart for an apology.
*
The women say they were thrown out because of what one sister was wearing.
*
It all happened at the Super Walmart on West 11th Sunday.
*
Sandy McMillin and her sister thought it was going to be a typical stop, but it wasn't because they were kicked out.
*
"I was horrified in that they're throwing me out of the store, for wearing this. I was like, 'Hello!'" said McMillin.
*
The 51-year-old says she was wearing a bikini top and swim shorts Sunday while at Walmart, because she and her sister had been working outside in the sun all day.
*
But while browsing through the clothing section, they were interrupted by two employees.
*
"I said, 'Yes?' And she looks at my sister and says, 'Ma'am you're going to have to put a shirt on.'* And I said, 'Huh?'" said Karla Vogt, the woman's sister.
*
Neither of the sisters saw a dress code policy.
*
KEZI checked that location's main entrances and didn't see any either, but employees said it is enforced.
*
They say it's a health issue, under the food handler's policy, because they carry and sell food items.
*
KEZI checked online and while there is information about physical contamination, there's nothing about restrictions on bikini tops.
*
When asked why she thinks she was targeted, Sandy said "because I'm tattooed and the stigma that goes along with tattoos."
*
She admits she's not in the best shape, and the sisters think that also played a role in how they were treated.
*
"If you don't like the way a person looks, don't look at them. That's always been my philsophy," Karla said.
*
The woman said employees also told them the policy is usually only enforced when they receive a complaint.
*
So we put the policy to the test.
*
We had a woman dress in shorts and a bikini and go into the store with a KEZI employee.
*
They spent close to 15 minutes in the store and even spoke directly to several Walmart employees, and not once were asked to leave.
*
KEZI did contact Walmart's headquarters Monday to ask them about the incident, but that call was not returned.
July 25, 2011
By Gia Vang
*
EUGENE, Ore. -- Two Junction City sisters are asking an Eugene Walmart for an apology.
*
The women say they were thrown out because of what one sister was wearing.
*
It all happened at the Super Walmart on West 11th Sunday.
*
Sandy McMillin and her sister thought it was going to be a typical stop, but it wasn't because they were kicked out.
*
"I was horrified in that they're throwing me out of the store, for wearing this. I was like, 'Hello!'" said McMillin.
*
The 51-year-old says she was wearing a bikini top and swim shorts Sunday while at Walmart, because she and her sister had been working outside in the sun all day.
*
But while browsing through the clothing section, they were interrupted by two employees.
*
"I said, 'Yes?' And she looks at my sister and says, 'Ma'am you're going to have to put a shirt on.'* And I said, 'Huh?'" said Karla Vogt, the woman's sister.
*
Neither of the sisters saw a dress code policy.
*
KEZI checked that location's main entrances and didn't see any either, but employees said it is enforced.
*
They say it's a health issue, under the food handler's policy, because they carry and sell food items.
*
KEZI checked online and while there is information about physical contamination, there's nothing about restrictions on bikini tops.
*
When asked why she thinks she was targeted, Sandy said "because I'm tattooed and the stigma that goes along with tattoos."
*
She admits she's not in the best shape, and the sisters think that also played a role in how they were treated.
*
"If you don't like the way a person looks, don't look at them. That's always been my philsophy," Karla said.
*
The woman said employees also told them the policy is usually only enforced when they receive a complaint.
*
So we put the policy to the test.
*
We had a woman dress in shorts and a bikini and go into the store with a KEZI employee.
*
They spent close to 15 minutes in the store and even spoke directly to several Walmart employees, and not once were asked to leave.
*
KEZI did contact Walmart's headquarters Monday to ask them about the incident, but that call was not returned.