Chili’s says Louisiana worker was fired for ‘harassment,’ employee says it stemmed from pronoun dispute

A former Louisiana Chili’s employee went viral for saying he was fired for refusing to use a coworker’s preferred pronouns, but the restaurant claims the termination stemmed from repeated harassment that violated company policy, not the employee’s views on gender identity.

The former employee, Wesley Kirk Ford Jr., alleged on social media on Saturday that he lost his job after referring to a nonbinary coworker “by her actual legal government name.”

Chili’s disputes that characterization, saying Ford repeatedly mocked and intimidated the coworker despite being asked to stop.

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“While we normally do not comment on people-related matters, we believe it is important to clarify the actions taken in this situation,” a spokesperson for Chili’s told Fox News Digital. “The individual was terminated due to repeated instances of harassment toward his fellow team member, which is in violation of our policies, to the point the team member was unable to continue the shift. The terminated individual was repeatedly asked to stop the harassing behavior, but he refused.”

The spokesperson added, “Harassment, bullying, or behavior that disrespects another person is not consistent with our values and is not tolerated. As always, our focus remains on supporting our team members, caring for our Guests, and maintaining a respectful environment for everyone who works or dines with us.”

In a Saturday post on Facebook, Ford wrote, “I just got fired from Chilis in Denham Springs for calling a nonbinary coworker by her actual legal government name lolol. I now need to find a new job.”

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Ford added, “I also need to find a first amendment/civil rights attorney. I will post more details on exactly what happened after I wind down some because I’m fired up right now lolol.”

In a video posted Saturday, Ford said he was fired for refusing to call the coworker not by her name, but by her “chosen name,” which he said was “Fish.” He said he’d never been fired or even disciplined at any job before.

“I’m not participating in that s— anymore,” Ford said in the video. “Like, I don’t care. I don’t care, I put my foot down. And I’m just not, I’m not participating in it.”

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Chili’s, however, maintained that Ford was committing harassing behavior.

“In this instance, the terminated team member excessively and unnecessarily mocked the other team member in an antagonizing manner to harass and intimidate,” the spokesperson said. “This conduct was intentional, targeted, and designed to provoke a reaction. These repeated bullying actions created a hostile working environment and interfered with the ability to do their job. “

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ford for comment.