Tyson Foods fires 7 managers over virus wagering incident
Tyson Foods announced Wednesday it has fired seven managers over allegations that they placed wagers on how many employees would contract COVID-19 at the Waterloo plant.
The allegations came from a lawsuit filed by a deceased Tyson employee's son.
The employees allegedly involved were originally suspended without pay. The company said an independent investigation led to the firings. The company did name the fired managers.
“We value our people and expect everyone on the team, especially our leaders, to operate with integrity and care in everything we do,” Tyson Foods President and CEO Dean Banks said in a statement. “The behaviors exhibited by these individuals do not represent the Tyson core values, which is why we took immediate and appropriate action to get to the truth. Now that the investigation has concluded, we are taking action based on the findings.”
Company officials traveled to the Waterloo plant last month and again today to meet with team members.
“The commitment and passion that our team members exhibit every day is core to who we are at Tyson. We were very upset to learn of the behaviors found in the allegations, as we expect our leaders to treat all team members with the highest levels of respect and integrity,” Banks said. “That’s why we have asked former Attorney General Eric Holder and his team to partner with Tyson to help us as we continue to look for ways to enhance a trusting and respectful workplace.”
Isidro Fernandez was an employee at Tyson Foods' Waterloo facility. He died from COVID-19 complications on April 26.
"fraudulent misrepresentations, gross negligence and incorrigible, willful and wanton disregard for worker safety." The defendants include Tyson Foods, Chairman John Tyson, CEO Noel White, President Dean Banks, President Stephen Stouffer, Vice President Tom Brower, manager Tom Hart, safety lead Bret Tapken, and managers Cody Brustkern and John Casey.
