Grubhub’s CEO Tells Employees Who Support Trump’s Rhetoric to Quit

The CEO and co-founder of food delivery service Grubhub has faced a considerable amount of backlash since Wednesday when he sent out a company-wide email titled, “So…that happened…what’s next?” In the email, copied in full below, CEO Matt Maloney said that Grubhub would not tolerate Trump-like behavior in the workplace. Further, had Trump worked at Grubhub while making many of his controversial statements, Maloney would have had only one message for him: “You’re fired.”

“While demanding, insulting and ridiculing minorities, immigrants and the physically/mentally disabled worked for Mr. Trump,” wrote Maloney, “I want to be clear that this behavior — and these views, have no place at Grubhub. Had he worked here, many of his comments would have resulted in immediate termination.”

But Maloney took the email a step further, telling employees that do not agree with his statement to “reply to this email with your resignation because you have no place here.”

After Fox News picked up the story, the backlash against Maloney grew, with many Trump supporters taking to Twitter to encourage a Grubhub boycott:

In a statement issued Thursday, Maloney attempted to amend his words and ensure employees that they wouldn’t be fired based on who they supported for President. “Some of the statements in my email...have been misconstrued,” he wrote. “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’s statement on his original email (see below) to employees, in full:

This year’s presidential election was undoubtedly divisive and left many of our employees feeling concerned. In response, I wrote a company-wide email that was intended to advocate for inclusion and tolerance -- regardless of political affiliation -- during this time of transition for our country.

Some of the statements in my email (please see full text below) have been misconstrued. 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.

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.

I deeply respect the right of all citizens to vote for the candidate of their choice. In fact, I offered extra flexibility on Tuesday and encouraged all our employees to go vote. There is a place for all points of view at Grubhub. We value diverse perspectives and believe those perspectives help to create a better product and a better workplace culture.

Grubhub’s leadership team has worked for years to create a culture of support and inclusiveness. I firmly believe that we must bring together different perspectives to continue innovating. We are better, faster and stronger together, and so is America.

Of course, shortly after releasing the statement acknowledging that Grubhub does not tolerate “hateful commentary,” the hateful commentary directed at the company continued on Twitter:

Below, Maloney’s original letter to staffers, in full:

SUBJECT: So... that happened... what's next?

I'm still trying to reconcile my own worldview with the overwhelming message that was delivered last night. Clearly there are a lot of people angry and scared as the antithesis of every modern presidential candidate won and will be our next president.

While demeaning, insulting and ridiculing minorities, immigrants and the physically/mentally disabled worked for Mr. Trump, I want to be clear that this behavior - and these views, have no place at Grubhub. Had he worked here, many of his comments would have resulted in his immediate termination.

We have worked for years cultivating a culture of support and inclusiveness. I firmly believe that we must bring together different perspectives to continue innovating - including all genders, races, ethnicities and sexual, cultural or ideological preferences. We are better, faster and stronger together.

Further I absolutely reject the nationalist, anti-immigrant and hateful politics of Donald Trump and will work to shield our community from this movement as best as I can. As we all try to understand what this vote means to us, I want to affirm 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.

If you do not agree with this statement then please reply to this email with your resignation because you have no place here. We do not tolerate hateful attitudes on our team.I want to repeat what Hillary said this morning, that the new administration deserves our open minds and a chance to lead, but never stop believing that the fight for what's right is worth it.

Stay strong,

Matt

• Why Trump’s Victory Gave Restaurant Stocks a Boost [E]
• This is The Wrong Way For a CEO to Respond to Donald Trump’s Election Win [The Verge]
• Inclusion and Tolerance in the Workplace [Grubhub]