Friday, December 18, 2009

Part 1 of the letter below can be found by scrolling down to December 15, 2009. On that same morning (Dec. 15, 2009) before part 1 was posted, Ms. Boyd was terminated from her Whirlpool job. She went to work and was told she no longer had a job. Whirlpool apparently doesn't even give employees the standard two week notice.

In Whirlpool offices, at least in Berrien County, Mich. and in Texas, the following ethics policy is not only ignored, but the exact opposite of it's intent is what employees experience: racism, bullying, and intimidation.

"Our aim is for Whirlpool Corporation and its worldwide sudsidiaries to be known, trusted, and respected as one of the top enterprises in the world. To do that requires strong financial and ethical performance. Whirlpool's Code of Ethics requires each of us to act responsibly and maintain the highest levels of personal business and legal conduct. That means walking away from a business agreement rather than violating the law or compromising our standards. It also means showing respect for those lives we affect and treat them as we want them to treat us whether that person is a supervisor, colleague, or subordinate."

--Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool Chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer

CEO Jeff M. Fettig and supervisor Tedderic are both in violation of the Whirlpool ethics policy as stated above.

Part 2 of a letter, "When You Know You Are From Benton Harbor," given to Ms. Boyd by her male supervisor, Mr. Tedderic:

You know you are from Benton Harbor when after you wear something new you won't wear it for at least another 2 months. When you miss 1st hours cuz you were at IHOP. When you ate wing dings and cheese fries at lunch. When you thought Reality Check's prices were so high but still bought the stuff anyway. When you know who Willie Joe is or have talked to him and you have seem him on every corner drinking a 2 liter of beer. When you wear the birthday ribbon even though it ain't your birthday so you can get lunch. When you always trying to sell something. When you remember Rome coming to your school once a month. When you can't wait to get out of Benton Harbor, but come back to every event. When you were either part of or hated on one of the many groups, SwaveGirls, Monroe Boys, Mama's Girls and Boys, Sallies, 30's, Spiffy, etc. When people send you messages on my space about old Benton Harbor drama. When you still consider yourself to be part of the clique. When you either know, know of, or are related to everyone in your age range. When your father has at least 10 kids and only takes care of 5. When every woman in town worth dating has dated your friend, relative, is a relative of yours, or you have been there, and done that! When you think Fatsola is the best rapper in the world. When or if you can go to Donnie Page's porch and get your hair cut, smoke some weed, and watch niggas sell dope across the street all at the same time. When you are still talking about how many points you scored when you were on Sterne Brunson, West, Calvin Britain, etc. When you think DNR really stands for Duck N Run. When you ride around IHOP 30 times after the bars close. When you were there when Sinbad first put the black top down behind the rec and you remember the dunk contest that day. When you remember the klicknik or parties at the Captains Table. When you snuck in the YMCA to hoop on saturdays cause you knew everybody was gonna be there but you did not have any money.