On October 19, 2018, a jury awarded two current and one former employee $8M after FedEx allegedly retaliated against them for whistleblowing. FedEx allegedly overlooked FAA safety requirements by rushing repairs to increase profits. FedEx installed stadium-sized clocks that counted down the seconds and offered management bonuses for getting airplanes out faster.
Brian Gruzalski and Stanley Langevin filed complaints claiming that mechanics would sign off on unsafe or undone repairs because they were being pressured by management. Instead of conducting an investigation, FedEx retaliated against the employees by issuing write-ups to the two employees. Other employees were allegedly instructed to watch and submit written complaints against Gruzalski and Langevin.
FedEx management allegedly ordered Mark Collins to write up Gruzalski and Langevin, but he refused to take part in what he perceived to be retaliation. Mr. Collins was written up instead. He was later also allegedly denied accommodations for his disability and denied his promotion to senior manager. The court awarded him $3,010,000 in total.
The FedEx managing director allegedly threatened Mr. Gruzalski of physical harm by 50 angry men if he did not stop complaining. Mr. Gruzalski was also placed on suspension before he was finally terminated for allegedly using racially charged profanity. He was awarded $4,655,000 in total.
Mr. Langevin was the first employee to be ever demoted for three years after being accused of using improper nicknames. He was awarded $343,817 in total.