This is the one week I am happy to be working from the comfort of my own home. With all of the outrage pouring out into the streets as a result of America’s newly elected leader, I quite frankly have no time for microaggressions and taunting in the workplace.
Tensions are at an all-time high.
Grubhub’s co-founder and CEO, Matt Maloney did what most company leaders are afraid to do. He cut the head off the snake that poisons the organization. The 24/7 digital food-ordering company works with over 45,000 local takeout restaurants in more than 1,100 U.S. cities and London.
Maloney sent a company-wide email Wednesday issuing his stance on the new president-elect, saying that he rejects “the nationalist, anti-immigrant and hateful politics of Donald Trump.”
Maloney continued by writing, “I want to reaffirm to anyone on our team that is scared or feels personally exposed, that I and everyone else here at Grubhub will fight for your dignity and your right to make a better life for yourself and your family here in the United States.”
In closing, Maloney urged anyone who disagreed with his remarks to reply to the message with a “resignation because you have no place here.”
Read the full text below.
This did not bode well within the company or with customers who support Trump. Critics left and right blasted Maloney for forcing his political views on employees. On Twitter, customers showed screenshots of where they removed the Grubhub app from their devices and threatened to boycott the company.
So GrubHub CEO is talking about how hateful and intolerant someone is, by being hateful and intolerant of different views?#boycottgrubhub
— Leah the Boss (@LeahRBoss) November 11, 2016
Grubhub CEO is about to learn about actions & equal and opposite reactions. At a minimum, 60 million people need to #BoycottGrubHub
— Daran Waters (@DaranWaters) November 11, 2016
On the other end of the chaos..
Grubhub supporters came out in full force to standby Maloney’s remarks.
Salute to @Grubhub , may never order from a different online service EVER again #supportgrubhub
— NeverBound2One (@Nytilidi718) November 11, 2016
Use Grubhub today! Don’t let the haters (who probably didn’t even read the CEO’s statement) are trying to take it down #supportgrubhub
— Leslie Tong (@lt5) November 11, 2016
Thank you @M3aloney for standing up to hate and bigotry. More companies should follow your lead. #SupportGrubhub
— Steven Lerner (@Steven_Lerner) November 11, 2016
I’m not supposed to be spending money on take out, but I’ll find a way to order me a couple meals from y’all @Grubhub #supportgrubhub
— Dahveed (@Dav3OnDemand) November 11, 2016
Im ordering off GrubHub exclusively now. Thanks. https://t.co/srM1zth7po
— Steph Da 5’6 (@eleven8) November 11, 2016
Maloney issued a statement to clear up any misconceptions about his original email.
“I want to clarify that I did not ask for anyone to resign if they voted for Trump. I would never make such a demand. To the contrary, the message of the email is that we do not tolerate discriminatory activity or hateful commentary in the workplace, and that we will stand up for our employees,” Maloney said in a press release Thursday. “Grubhub welcomes and accepts employees with all political beliefs, no matter who they voted for in this or any election. We do not discriminate on the basis of someone’s principles, or political or other beliefs.”
Maloney also mentioned the company’s efforts to maintain inclusiveness and diverse perspectives.
So kids, here’s how white privilege works. White people who bask in the advantages of wealth, entitlement, access, social status, and all of the societal perks that come with not being a minority. White privilege overlooks racial inequality, well, because it does not exist to beneficiaries. The idea of whiteness provides exclusivity from
disenfranchisement and provides a higher socioeconomic ranking. Due to the perceived idea that being white comes with privileges the rest of us cannot afford because of the price tag that comes with the color of our skin, there are elitists who turn the cheek to the social injustices experienced by other ethnic groups. Superiority is at its peak when white privilege is involved.
Grubhub’s CEO turned in his white privilege in exchange to preserve the safety of his employees who are terrorized by the fear and intimidation caused by radical Trump supporters. Silence is easy. His reputation is tarnished, stocks are jeopardized and professional relationships are all on the line because his moral compass steered him to the road less traveled by powerful white men.
Maloney is the kind of ally needed for the next four years.
If you’ve ever been bullied in the workplace by the type of behavior Maloney outlined in his email, and nothing was done to stop it, then you too understand the magnitude and validity of his words. It’s not a great place to be in. Trust me.
Some will likely argue me on this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Fam, this man gets unlimited cookout invites next summer. Let him go first in line with the kids and the elders to fix his plate. Hell, fix it for him.
