FedEx Shares Statement After Workers Claim They Were Fired for Filming Racist Customer

A FedEx driver claimed that he and a co-worker were fired after they shared a video of a confrontation with a belligerent customer in Georgia.

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Image via Getty/Joe Raedle

FedEx

A FedEx driver claimed that he and a co-worker were fired after they shared a video of a confrontation with a belligerent customer in Georgia, but the company refutes firing the two employees.

One of the workers uploaded a clip of the incident, which has since gone viral, in which the white customer can be seen recording him. In the days following the clip making the rounds on social media, he claimed he and his co-worker were fired for the incident. The employee who uploaded the video said that the white man came out of his house and started to swear and threaten them both after they delivered his package.

"We just apologized but he kept escalating the situation then kept saying he would whoop our [sic] black asses," the employee recalled. "After the video the police came and we told our side of the story & the man said to the police, 'they look like they would've broke into my house while my wife is there.' The white was lying the whole time."

Update FedEx called and told me to take down this video and fired both of us Today .. I’m reposting this video because people like him doesn’t matter white or any race should never disrespect essential workers putting their lives in jeopardy especially with this covid-19 pic.twitter.com/Fw0S5gNRso

— TONE (@Toniob38) May 20, 2020

FedEx later released a statement to indicate it was aware of the clip, and has launched an investigation. However, the company refuted the claim that it fired the two employees, instead asserting that the men were employed through an independent service provider that "no longer provides service" to FedEx. As a result, the company has said that it is offering a job to both of the men. "We take seriously allegations of discrimination, retaliation, or improper employment actions," the statement added.

We are aware of the incident in GA that led to the release of two drivers employed by a service provider. We're offering employment while investigating to ensure an appropriate outcome. We take seriously allegations of discrimination, retaliation, or improper employment actions.

— FedEx (@FedEx) May 21, 2020

This is far from the first incident of alleged racism to arise this month during the coronavirus pandemic. Just last week, an Oklahoma delivery truck driver went viral after he shared a video of white neighborhood residents blocking his attempts to make a delivery. 

Check out what Twitter had to say about the FedEx incident below.

oh word @FedEx?! https://t.co/DnzM9abqWw

— ?st (@questlove) May 21, 2020

I get the outrage about that FedEx video. That was some straight bullshit, but y’all out here @ing FedEx when FedEx Ground drivers are employed by contracted service providers. Their checks don’t come from FedEx. Find the CPS those men worked for and @ them if you wanna be heard.

— Hilary (@HilareeBanks) May 21, 2020

Fire the people who fired them and we can talk.

— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) May 21, 2020

UPS thanked the police for opening fire in rush hour traffic and killing their hostage employee, now FedEx is firing workers for being chased and threatened by racists.

But yeah let's get rid of USPS, sounds great. https://t.co/lxTXpspmOn

— Lena (@banalplay) May 21, 2020

FedEx, that’s wrong what y’all did to them workers, wrongfully terminating them because they’re doing their job while bigots like him disrespecting him because they’re doing their jobs. Racism exists because of bigots like him. Not cool #BoycottFedEx https://t.co/mspHXmQDVT

— Giovanni Brooks The O.G. 👟 (@Giovanni_Brooks) May 21, 2020

Not surprised. #FedEx will NEVER get my custom again.

— Mr. Spock 🖖 (Commentary) (@SpockResists) May 21, 2020

So let me get this one straight. This fedex worker and his partner are berated by a white dude who thought they were breaking into his house (they’re literally wearing the uniform idiot) so they stand up for themselves
and @FedEx fired the two workers because of it? Seriously? https://t.co/W7TlMbchZ2

— Francis Maxwell (@francismmaxwell) May 21, 2020

This is shameful, @FedEx. I'm done. #BoycottFedEx https://t.co/S22oGD9t4E

— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 21, 2020

You should have NEVER FIRED THEM! The need to be rehired with a bonus or incentive to accommodate them for the emotional trauma they occurred. This was ridiculous for you to fire them. If twitter didn’t exist, they would still be unemployed!!!

— 🔮Shaundrie🔮 (@Shaundrie) May 21, 2020

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