Australian shop workers are complaining to their bosses after being forced to hand out Harry Potter cards.
Transgender staff at the Coles supermarket chain are unhappy at having to hand out the collectable cards because of JK Rowling's controversial views on trans women.
The cards, which have been issued since July, are given to customers when they spend £25 at the supermarket.
However some of the 900 transgender or gender diverse Coles employees are uncomfortable with handing out the Potter-themed cards because of the British author's previous controversial comments.
The best-selling author has been accused of transphobia after claiming trans activists are denying the rights of "biological women".
This led to Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the smash hit films, to distance himself from Rowling.
Other cast members to distance themselves from the author include Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley and Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger.
According to transgender activist Norrie May-Welby, the supermarket should let staff decide whether they want to give away the Harry Potter cards at the checkout.
Norrie, who legally won to be officially recognised as having no specific gender in 2014, told Daily Mail Australia : "Reassign them to duties where handing out these promotions is not part of their job."
However, the supermarket Coles has encouraged workers with any concerns about having to hand the Potter cards out to get in contact with their manager.
A Coles spokesperson said: "Coles promotes an inclusive workplace and we strongly encourage any team member with concerns about gender diversity issues to raise them with their store manager or line manager.
"Or if they don't feel comfortable doing this, then through our Pride Network who are there to support our LGBTQI+ community.
"Coles is proud of our diversity and inclusion, we have many initiatives supporting the LGBTQI+ community and we will always stand up against homophobia, biphobia, intersexism and transphobia."
Coles announced in May they were introducing its 10 days' paid gender affirmation leave.
The supermarket has at least 900 employees who identify as transgender or gender diverse, Coles revealed in a statement in May to promote its new initiative.
Customers are able to collect the Harry Potter cards which available in-store until August 30.
There are 30 cards to collect as the supermarket said at the time of the launch 'Harry Potter universe holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Australians'.
