I don't agree with it, but would just like to point this out.....
"only company-provided pins and badges can be worn on our aprons."
They have the right to make a dress code if they choose to...if he doesn't want to abide by it,then he doesn't have to work there.He was told to take it off and he refused.That is insubordination. They were within their rights to fire him.
Who knows why they let him wear it for a year then suddenly want to enforce it. I worked at a place (factory)that didn't allow tank tops...I, along with many many others wore them for years with nothing said...then all at once they started enforcing it...was ALWAYS a rule but wasn't enforced until some HR boss decided to .
Again, I don't agree with it, and do not know their reasoning for not allowing it...just pointing out that he wasn't fired for wearing a button..he was fired because he was violating a rule,and then refused to comply when told to do so.