Trader Joe’s Employee Fired For Writing CEO On Lack Of COVID Safety Precautions In His Store, He Alleges

Trader Joe’s is getting heat for its termination of an employee after he alleges that it fired him for bringing up COVID-19 safety issues.

CNN Business reports:

“A Trader Joe’s worker says he was fired after writing directly to the chain’s CEO calling for stronger Covid-19 safety protocols in his store.

Ben Bonnema, a Trader Joe’s employee at a store in New York City, wrote an email to Trader Joe’s chief executive Dan Bane on February 26 urging the store to improve its air filtration, not allow anyone inside the store without a mask and adopt a ‘3 strikes’ policy for removing uncooperative customers.

‘We put our lives on the line everyday by showing up to work. Please, show up for us by adopting these policies,’ Bonnema said in his letter.

Bonnema on Saturday posted the letter on Twitter and said he was fired for sending it to the CEO. He also posted a termination letter he received from Trader Joe’s. Bonnema’s account went viral on social media and prompted calls for a boycott of Trader Joe’s.

Kenya Friend-Daniel, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s, said Monday in an email that there was ‘misinformation’ online about Bonnema’s termination. ‘Store leadership terminated this Crew Member’s employment because of the disrespect he showed toward our customers.’ She declined to provide specifics.”

For the rest of the story, visit CNN Business here.

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