Criticism of Target
(from wikipedia.org)

---

Like many other large businesses and corporations, Target Corporation faces criticism. Much negative publicity was generated from the company's decision to no longer allow the Salvation Army to collect donations at its stores.

Target allegedly engages in many practices that rival Wal-Mart faces criticism for engaging in; however, because of Target's smaller size in comparison to Wal-Mart, Target often escapes criticism. In addition, many people may overlook Target's practices because of its successful marketing to differentiate itself as being more upscale. Practices that some might deem as questionable include: low hourly wages (lack of a so-called living wage), opposition to labor unions, and its contribution to urban sprawl. Liza Featherstone, author of Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers' Rights at Wal-Mart, stated in an interview, "Aesthetically, we all like Target better, but their wages are in many places low or just as low, and they all represent the Wal-Martization of our economy, which is the exchange of low prices for poor work conditions."

In 2002, the company came under criticism for carrying clothing with the number "88" embroidered on the clothing, which is known to be a white supremacist symbol. Target came under fire not necessarily for carrying the merchandise, but for their response. A customer informed the company of the offensive merchandise, but Target only responded with form letters and seemed to dismiss the customer's concerns. Only after the Southern Poverty Law Center and the media got involved, did Target pull the merchandise from its stores.

A 26-year-old Missouri woman was refused emergency contraception when she handed her prescription to a pharmacist at a Target store in Fenton, Missouri, on September 30, 2005. The woman was told by the pharmacist, “I won’t fill it. It’s my right not to fill it.” She was told that she could go to a local Walgreens instead. Target holds a conscience clause that allows employees to refuse to dispense emergency contraceptives based on religious beliefs; however, the employee must ensure that the prescription is filled by another pharmacist in a timely manner. Some defending Target would applaud the company for upholding the employee's freedom of conscience, while others feel this policy is a violation of customer rights. No court has yet held that such a "customer right" exists.

Target has recently come under fire for firing 39-year-old pharmacist Heather Williams, who based on her religious beliefs could not in good conscience refer a customer to one of the other Target Stores that would dispense the Emergency Contraceptives as stated in their conscience clause.