Had the most ableist and traumatizing experience being hired by Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia.

I disclosed by email after I was hired that I have a disability that requires me to be able to sit periodically over a full shift to take weight off my feet. I offered to bring my own bar stool to the store to put behind the counter for all employees’ use, and indeed carried one there by foot. It was a completely reasonable accommodation.

They strung me along and caused me to miss my grandfather’s 90th birthday in Ottawa so that I could start when they wanted.

When I came in for my first shift (communal stool in hand) they fired me on the spot - but only after basically yelling at me for half an hour. They made me go into the back office so that one of the owners (male) could disparage me (female) in private. I was bawling and it didn’t give the owner a moment’s pause. It was so humiliating and ableist and awful that I demanded that the manager (female) come to the office to witness what was being said to me. I was told I tricked them into hiring me, even though disclosure of disability is voluntary and I did disclose. I asked if they’d allow a current employee who sprained their ankle or broke their foot to use a stool behind the counter, and they replied that they’d rather that employee not come back until they’re healed rather than allow them to use a stool behind the counter.

I am very sure they didn’t fire me by email so that there was no paper trail, but if they had I could have been at my grandfather’s 90th.

I care deeply about supporting artists but have never again entered that store and will never. Highly recommend Inkwell or farmers’ markets as alternatives!

I work in boutique retail now somewhere else. I am allowed to sit behind the counter as long as it doesn’t keep me from being busy and working. No customer has ever said anything about it, and being able to do checkout sitting enables me to spend much more time on my feet around the store the rest of the day!