Why I will not shop at HEMA anymore

First of all let me start by saying that this is my personal decision, and I will not think less of anyone who reads this and still goes to HEMA. It’s entirely up to you where you spend your money and its definitely not because I find a valid reason for me to stop shopping there that you need to follow suit. But I’m putting this out there anyway, because this is something that needs to be addressed.

Here’s a little context. I have been a loyal customer to this store (often forgoing shopping at other HEMA stores to give my local one business) since it opened, which is many, many years now. Everyone that knows me knows I LOVED HEMA, I would get loads of things there, I would bring my rolls of film there to get developed, not shopping there anymore is an actual nuisance, and yet, I am done with them.

Here’s why. On Friday the 8^th of January, I went to the local HEMA.  I walked in, Bert waited for me at the entrance in case I needed help (I am disabled, sometimes I do need assistance, it is how it is, and legally, I am allowed to shop with 1 person that can provide said assistance). I was wearing my face shield, correctly. Again, Belgian law, our FEDERAL government, clearly states that if one is unable to wear a face mask due to medical reasons, that person is allowed to wear a face shield. So I was not doing anything illegal or untoward at all. I just went about the store, looking for what I needed, putting it in my basket and going to register to pay. You could argue that ERMARGERD IT IS A PANDEMIC AND YOU SHOULD NOT BE OUT! But sometimes people actually NEED things, and I will not allow anyone to lock me inside and prohibit me to get the things I need. The law is, once again, on my side on this one. If it wasn’t, there wouldn’t be so many anti-discrimination laws ;).

And that’s when it happened. The lady at the register told me I wasn’t welcome anymore because I wore a face shield. Note how there were several staff present in the shop, there were hardly any shoppers, there was no way she and/or any of her colleagues hadn’t seen me. So basically, they were ok with taking my money and then kicking me out, but not addressing me as soon as they saw me and politely, rather than bitchily, talking to me.

I tried to reason with her, on the brink of an anxiety attack because I am NOT good with being put on the spot at all. To absolutely no avail. Apparently this was, wait for it, shop policy…

So I took it to twitter when I got home, because in my experience, companies only respond when called out in public. I got a response from HEMA a few days later, probably a bit bothered by the #ableist I used in my tweet, requesting I DM them to explain what happened. I did so, and guess what… not even an apology.

What I got was a thank you for mentioning it, could they talk to the store and get my contact details. And they left a HEART emoji. Completely inappropriate. Oh and an automated request to rate the service.

I kid… you…not.

I said they were welcome to contact me, I gave them my email, point blank said I wanted all communication in writing and wasn’t here for empty apologies (not that I was going to get any full stop mind you). So a clear hint I wanted a policy change.

Over a week later I got another DM from another HEMA employee, telling me they had contacted the store and that they should get in touch. Guess what, they haven’t… and I don’t expect them to either.

What grates me the most is that there was no a single “sorry this happened, we can assure you that this is NOT HEMA’s policy”. There was no pressing or at least TRYING to convince me that this was a rogue employee acting in a manner that the store doesn't agree with, nor stand for. Meaning that I was probably not lied to in the store when I got kicked out, and that it IS indeed store policy to discriminate against the disabled and chronically ill. So that’s why I refuse to give them another cent of my money, even if I make my own life harder and possibly more expensive (HEMA is usually pretty darn cheap). I REFUSE to support a chain that actively encourages discrimination against people that are chronically ill and/or disabled.

Additionally, I contacted UNIA, the Belgian anti-discrimination agency (that wasn’t an empty threat I made to HEMA), explained the situation to them, and the staffer that got back to me was super friendly, asked me a couple more (perfectly reasonable) questions so they could take it to the store. Because guess what: I was indeed victim of discrimination and again: the goddamn law is on my side! The law that HEMA saw fit to break, because it very much seems discriminating against the disabled and chronically ill is store policy.

Do with this story what you want dear reader, but I won’t shop at HEMA again.

FIY I don’t enjoy making this kind of post or kicking up a fuss, not in the slightest. I find it very, very stressful. But the fact is, if people don’t speak up against discrimination and ableism, then it will keep happening and it’ll get worse. Only by speaking up and making a stand, even when and if it is hard (and this is) can we hope to if not improve upon things, at least make clear we know our rights and won’t stand for them getting ignored.

I am disabled, I don’t have COVID-19 (I have a myriad of conditions but I assure you that NONE are contagious!). I will wear a face shield, I have clean hands, I keep my distance. When I need to go out I will go out, the end. I REFUSE to let anyone dictate me that I can’t live my life and should lock myself in. I am no danger what so ever to anyone, therefore I fail to see why I should allow others to tell me I’m only allowed a life inside behind a computer.

We have left the times where disabled and chronically ill people were locked up inside most days of the year only for their family to be pitied and them to be a subject of conversation behind their backs. Now is a crucial time to make it clear we are NOT returning to those times.