25
in writing, that she was banned from Williams
Sonoma and its sister stores, was ignored.
When Ms. Block asked about Williams Sonoma’s
policy on customer abuse, the district
manager told her that no such policy existed,
but that the company was working on one.
Shockingly, the only comment from management
was one that Ms. Block overheard in
the store. An assistant manager told another
employee that Ms. Block’s Star of David necklace
was “a provocation” – outrageously blaming
Ms. Block’s pride in her Jewish identity
for the threats and abuse she suffered. When
Ms. Block reported the comment to management,
no action was taken.
It was only after the ZOA intervened on
Ms. Block’s behalf that Williams Sonoma finally
took the necessary remedial steps:
• The CEO sent an apology letter to Ms.
Block for the company’s failure to respond
promptly and appropriately to the anti
Semitism she endured.
• Williams Sonoma sent a certified letter
to the anti-Semitic customer (whom Ms.
Block helped identify), emphasizing the
company’s zero tolerance for anti-Semitism,
and banning the customer from
shopping at all Williams Sonoma stores
and websites, including its other brands
(Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West
Elm).
• Williams Sonoma provided training to
employees on how to recognize and effectively
respond to anti-Semitic harassment,
whether engaged in by customers or anyone
else.
• Williams Sonoma terminated the employee
who blamed Ms. Block for “provoking” the
anti-Semitism by wearing a Star of David.
The ZOA commends Ms. Devra Block
for standing up strongly to anti-Semitism in
the workplace, and also commends Williams
Sonoma for rectifying its wrongdoing and
taking corrective action.
It was
only after
the ZOA
intervened
on Ms.
Block’s
behalf that
Williams
Sonoma
finally took
the necessary
remedial
steps.
The Williams Sonoma store in Manhattan where Devra Block
was harassed and abused because she is Jewish