A Trader Joe employee said he was fired for asking the supermarket chain CEO to improve precautions against the coronavirus.
Ben Bonnema, who worked at one of the company’s stores in New York City, tweeted a copy of a letter on Friday addressed to CEO Dan Bane and said, “Merchant Joe just fired me for sending this letter to the CEO, saying that I don’t share the company’s values. I think that defending a safer workplace is not a company value? “
In the letter, Bonnema asked Bane to require masks for all customers, improve air filtration in the store, limit capacity based on carbon dioxide levels and develop a “three strikes” policy for defaulting customers.
Trader Joe has just fired me for sending this letter to the CEO, saying that I don’t share the company’s values. I think that defending a safer workplace is not a value for the company? pic.twitter.com/3TKi5B8HSJ
– Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 26, 2021
For customers who can’t wear a mask, Bonnema recommended that Trader Joe employees make purchases for those customers. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that accommodations be made for certain clients.
In his letter, Bonnema cited a recent article in The Journal of Hospital Infection that calls “sufficient and effective ventilation” the key to preventing internal transmission of the virus.
Bonnema also produced his termination notice, which cited his recommendation for a three-attack policy, which the company called “not in line with our core values”.
here’s the letter they gave me pic.twitter.com/BeYmopbmJ3
– Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 26, 2021
In a statement to The Hill, a spokesman for Trader Joe said: “During his short tenure with Trader Joe’s, the suggestions of this crew member were listened to and duly dealt with. The store leadership terminated the employment of this crew member for because of the disrespect he showed our customers. We never terminated a crew member’s employment contract for raising safety issues “
Bonnema tweeted an August performance review that praised him for “dedication and care” in customer service.
what’s weird is that i got perfect grades in my last review lol pic.twitter.com/EJL0VO5G5e
– Ben Bonnema (@BenBonnema) February 27, 2021
The Hill contacted Trader Joe for comment.
Benjamin Dictor, a lawyer who was hired by Bonnema, said his client’s dismissal was illegal retaliation.
“Sir. Bonnema has the federal government’s protected right to defend safety in the workplace of his colleagues,” he told the Post. “Firing him for doing this is reprehensible, and we hope to obtain an order from the National Council for Labor Relations. determining its immediate reintegration. ”
Updated at 14h03