Grubhub CEO: Employees Sharing Donald Trump's 'Hateful' Views Should Resign, Would Have Fired Trump

The CEO of Grubhub, the Chicago-based food delivery service, sent a company-wide email following Election Day results that told employees who found themselves in agreement with Donald Trump's "nationalist, anti-immigrant and hateful politics" to hit reply with their resignation attached.

"If you do not agree with this statement then please reply to this email with your resignation because you have no place here," wrote Matt Maloney, co-founder of Grubhub. "We do not tolerate hateful attitudes on our team."

He also said that if Trump had been a Grubhub employee, his rhetoric "would have resulted in his immediate termination."

Maloney vowed 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."

What was meant as an attempt to "shield our community from this movement" quickly turned into a scramble for clarity as reports began to surface saying that Maloney told employees that if they voted for Trump, they should quit.

Maloney took to Twitter to both backpedal and accept responsibility for the misunderstanding.

Maloney also issued a statement that said his email "was intended to advocate for inclusion and tolerance — regardless of political affiliation — during this time of transition for our country."

He added: "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."

Full original email text:

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

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons