I continue to shake my head at the callousness of employers during this pandemic. Consider this example from The Oregonian, which earns its spot as the 10th nominee for the Worst Employer of 2020. A finance manager at a used car dealership in Portland was fired by his boss during a staff meeting for questioning the company’s alleged cover-up of a coronavirus cluster, a lawsuit claims.
McCrary contends his boss directed employees to conceal a COVID-19 outbreak to maintain business profits and customer visits to the showroom….
At least two workers tested positive and a general manager exhibited symptoms but refused to be tested, the lawsuit says. Two "significant others" of employees also tested positive, the suit says.…
His suit claims that Lapin didn't require social distancing or take other safety measures at work in light of the coronavirus pandemic and had fired another sales representative who was worried in spring about coming into work.
The lawsuit further alleges that the owner fired McCrary in an "alcohol and drug-induced rage" during an all-staff meeting after McCrary had raised health and safety concerns following the outbreak, screaming, "Everyone, everyone Shawn is fired – get the (expletive) out of my company!"
McCrary's lawsuit also quotes this text message the owner sent after the staff became aware of the positive cases: "Keep this down please. Don’t share this information with anyone since we do not want to scare away business."
A worthy nominee, indeed.