Has Poundland really banned staff from wearing a poppy? It’s outdated!

Rumours are spreading online that claim UK store Poundland are sending staff home for wearing remembrance poppies.

An example of the rumour can be seen via this popularly copied and pasted message below –

HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME POUNDLAND, SENDING STAFF HOME FOR WEARING A POPPY!!! IF IT WASN’T FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE AND THE MEN AND WOMEN LOST, YOU WOULDN’T BE SITTING IN YOUR POXY SHOP. BODYSHOP HAVE ALSO BANNED STAFF FROM WEARING POPPY’S,……..SET THIS AS YOUR STATUS IF YOU SUPPORT OUR TROOPS…..POPPYS ARE NOT SECTARIAN FLOWERS …..WEAR YOUR POPPY WITH PRIDE !!!!!!!!!!

The rumours are now well outdated, but have continued to circulate since 2011 when an isolated incident saw a member of Poundland staff walk out after being asked to remove a poppy. The incident happened in Lisburn in Northern Ireland, and after “reviewing its UK policy”, Poundland opted to allow poppies be worn alongside their uniform.

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Despite this isolated incident occurring in 2011, the same message (above) has continued to circulate social media during the month of November every year since, especially Facebook, from users unaware that the message spawned from an incident that occurred many years ago, and Poundland have since allowed all staff members to wear a poppy if they so wish.

In 2016, Poundland have once again had to field questions on this subject, and have stated on their social media pages…

Poundland is a supporter of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, we haven’t banned our staff from wearing a Poppy and we support any colleagues who choose to wear one

Poundland have also stated that they fully support the Royal British Legion who are welcome to sell poppies in any of their stores.