VIDEO: Old Navy Employee Let Go After Possible Racial Profiling Incident in Mississauga

Old Navy and Square One have spoken out following an alleged racial profiling incident that took place inside Mississauga’s biggest shopping centre on June 10.

A few days ago, Lisa Calderon uploaded several videos to her personal Facebook page that showed an Old Navy employee accusing her of shoplifting.

A video can be seen here:

On Facebook, Calderon wrote that she went into Old Navy to exchange sandals while wearing a top that she recently purchased from the store.

The top still had tags on it, which Calderon says became visible when she was leaving the store.

In the video, the former employee–who is identified only as Stephanie–asks Calderon if she purchased the shirt before accusing her of walking into the store wearing a different shirt than the one she was wearing when she left.

In an Instagram post, Calderon says she felt profiled even before the incident with the employee.

“I was racially profiled in Old Navy at Square One Shopping Centre today, I felt uncomfortable so instead of exchanging my merchandise there or buying the white dress I tried on, I decided to go somewhere else, I even went as far as to voice my concern to staff before leaving the store, (which at this point I would’ve understood if she asked about my shirt),” Calderon wrote on Instagram.

“Then when I was at Browns looking for shoes, a staff by the name of Stephanie said she saw that I did not walk into the store with my top on, and they saw it on camera and that I still had the price tag on it, she then proceeded to put her hands on me in front of security guard.”

Calderon says that after security advised the employee to let her go, Old Navy’s store manager apologized to her and said a district store manager would be in touch with her.

“Guys I cried cause I never thought in a million years this would happen to me. I would’ve been more calm and understanding if she didn’t accuse me first and would’ve been happy to show my receipt, especially because I voiced my racial profile complaint to the employee before I left the store. This needs to stop, Stephanie had no right to aggressively lay her hands on me and accuse me of stealing a $13 dollar top, had she not have done that this situation would’ve ended quietly.”

Calderon says she often keeps tags on her clothes.

“I have a right to keep my tags on my clothes and did so in case any of my items were drastically discounted within 30 days, which Old Navy’s policy is to give their customer back the difference,” Calderon wrote.

“Normally you can just bring your bill and get a simple fast transaction back into your account, but on rare occasions, you run into ignorant employees like Stephanie, who want you to go around the store to collect the items, to avoid that I normally just bring the lightly worn items with me accompanied w/ receipt.”

Old Navy has since terminated the employee involved in the altercation.

“Old Navy was founded to be a place where everyone belongs. It’s been a part of our culture and values since day one, and that makes it even more upsetting when incidents occur that don’t reflect those values,” the brand wrote in a series of tweets.

“Our commitment to ensuring everyone who shops and works in our stores feels welcome and respected is a top priority. As part of our commitment, we have ongoing training for our employees and strict policies in accordance with our values. We are so sorry that our customer Lisa Calderon had an unacceptable experience in one of our stores, and we apologize for letting her down. We investigated quickly and thoroughly. The employee involved in this situation is no longer with Old Navy.”

Square One has also spoken out, saying that shoppers have a right to feel respected.

“Our property, our employees and our tenants’ employees reflect our city’s diversity,” Adrienne Simic, senior vice president, Media Profile, said in a statement to insauga.com.

“We expect our shoppers and employees to be treated with respect.”

Calderon says she’s happy with Old Navy’s response.

“Old Navy’s District Manager called me, Stephanie is no longer with the company, also a public apology will be issued. In addition, a national sensitivity training (possibly international), will be conducted with all employees. Thanks for your love and continued support, if you know me, you know that I really appreciate it.”

Calderon has also asked supporters to refrain from threatening the employee involved in the incident, saying that she heard that death threats had been made.

“Thanks for the love and support, but please stop the death threats, we are better than this!”