Woman sacked for 'patriotic' email (From Swindon Advertiser)

Woman sacked for 'patriotic' email

8:48am Wednesday 4th October 2006

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WHEN Australian Kay Rowland was sacked from her job for sending what she thought was a patriotic email about England to colleagues she couldn't believe it.

The temp was sacked from Castrol Oil after forwarding the email, which the Pipers Way-based company and Reed Employment, deemed to be inappropriate, to five other employees.

'They told me some people had complained about the email and that my employment was terminated immediately. I was escorted from the building.'

Kay Rowland

But Miss Rowland, of Oakhurst, North Swindon, doesn't think the email was offensive and says people have the right to express their own opinion.

Part of the email said: "I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Britain. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

"This idea of London being a multicultural centre for community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Britons we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."

Miss Rowland, who has been temping at Castrol as a telebusiness operator since January, said: "I was sent the email last Thursday by an employee at the same company and I then sent it to five other employees.

"Nothing was said at the time but I overheard some colleagues saying it was true.

"But now I know that some of the people I sent it to complained to management."

On Monday morning Miss Rowland says that she felt something wasn't right when a representative from Reed Employment arrived at her office. She said they usually check up on their temps in the afternoon.

"My team leader and the Reed lady were both in the meeting room and then I was called in," she said.

"They told me some people had complained about the email and that my employment was terminated immediately. I was escorted from the building.

"I didn't think people would enjoy reading the email but I could see where this man who wrote it was coming from. I wasn't offended by it.

"I thought the people who I sent it to would look at it and see this man had guts to say what a lot of people are afraid to say."

But Miss Rowland didn't think that the email would land her in such hot water.

"In the meeting I was very upset. It was a very big shock and every word came behind a tear. I have been told I was sacked because of the content of the email.

"They also said, not in so many words, that I'm not welcome back there."

She added: "I think I've been made an example of but I don't think it's an example that should have been made."

Miss Rowland, who is moving back to Australia at Christmas is now looking for work elsewhere.

Sarah Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Reed Employment, said the company was unable to comment.

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