A former Universal Music Group worker has claimed that they had been fired after they refused to do their job duties “in protection of abortion rights,
Michael Lopez, who makes use of they/them pronouns and who labored as a manufacturing coordinator for Common Music Group, in keeping with their LinkedInmirrored on the state of affairs in a post shared to the platform final week.
Within the put up, Lopez, who identifies as a “queer brown particular person,” claims they had been fired from their job “throughout Pleasure month for talking up in protection of abortion rights”.
Lopez then defined what occurred within the lead as much as their termination, revealing that they determined to talk up as a result of they had been “devastated” when the Supreme Court docket dominated to overturn Roe v Wade on Friday 24 June.
“Final Friday, like numerous people, I used to be devastated by the information of the Supreme Court docket’s assault on abortion rights. Paired with the flood of anti-queer and anti-trans laws, it has been arduous to course of how the corporate’s anticipate us to be productive whereas our rights are being stripped away,” Lopez wrote, earlier than including: “Particularly when our firm has been donating to a number of of those politicians.”
In line with Lopez, they determined to protest the reversal at work.
“Each Friday, one among my duties was to course of experiences for upcoming releases. That is an e mail checklist that goes out to 275 individuals. I do not know who’s on it, I simply knew it was the e-mail checklist with the most individuals that I had entry to,” Lopez continued, earlier than sharing the e-mail they despatched.
Within the e mail, Lopez reportedly wrote: “I did not do them right this moment. I am in mourning as a result of assault on individuals with uteruses within the US. Federally assured entry to abortion is gone.”
The previous worker then claimed that they wrote: “Vivendi and Common Music Group should cease donating to anti-abortion, anti-queer and anti-trans politicians. Politicians like Marsha Blackburn, Ken Buck, Victoria Spartz, and many others. Or anticipate extra unproductive days,” earlier than signing off the e-mail: “Yours in fury.”
In line with the employee, within the “quick aftermath,” they acquired “a number of supportive emails” from their coworkers. Nevertheless, they stated in addition they acquired a name from a supervisor telling them to take the remainder of the break day, which they stated they took as an indication they may get fired.
“I recognize the love from my coworkers, and I figured, primarily based on administration’s response, there was chance I may be fired consequently. However I used to be happy with letting allies know that our firm has been donating to those politicians,” he wrote.
Lopez stated they had been informed they had been let go throughout a “shock” Zoom name with human assets the next day, throughout which they stated HR informed them they had been being terminated for not doing their job, “disrupting the day of 275 individuals and poor judgement “
After being informed to sign off, and anticipating the corporate would take their laptop computer again “very quickly,” Lopez stated they determined to ship one other e mail to the e-mail checklist, by which they allegedly revealed they’d been terminated and claimed they had been fired for “ talking in assist of abortion rights”.
“Hey ya’ll. Simply bought fired for this e mail from Friday, in order that they’re letting you realize the place they stand on staff talking out on politicians that assist marginalization for folk like me,” Lopez wrote within the e mail, in keeping with his LinkedIn put up. “A brown queer particular person terminated throughout Pleasure month talking in assist of abortion rights. Looks like that is precisely what America is all about proper now.”
Lopez then concluded the put up explaining that they do not communicate for his or her former firm, however communicate for themselves and different staff “that may undergo below these discriminatory legal guidelines”.
“Their actions right this moment, their silence on Friday are indicative of their motivations. Revenue in any respect prices. Solidarity, provided that it is worthwhile. And above all of that’s sustaining the established order and saying f**okay you to the working class. As a result of that is what occurred right this moment,” they added.
On LinkedIn, the put up has been favored greater than 3,000 instances, with many LinkedIn customers applauding Lopez for his or her actions and for sharing the way in which the corporate allegedly dealt with their issues.
“That is very disturbing. I am so sorry this occurred to you and I applaud your bravery. Folks have to know this sort of stuff occurs and staff need to know if their employer will assist them, their beliefs, identities, psychological well being, bodily well being, rights and speech (as long as it is not hateful/dangerous),,” one particular person wrote .
One other stated: “I am so sorry this occurred to you. I recognize you placing all of it on the road to remain true to your beliefs.”
Nevertheless, others had been extra divided of their opinion about Lopez’s habits and the corporate’s subsequent resolution to terminate their employment. “Michael – You made a stand primarily based upon precept. However such stands include penalties – that is what makes them courageous. I respect your resolution to withhold your labor as a type of protest, however you left your employer little alternative. I do not know the way anybody may anticipate them to not fireplace you, together with your self,” another person wrote.
The put up additionally acquired numerous feedback from customers criticizing Lopez for the e-mail, and for then posting concerning the expertise on LinkedIn.
“Entitled a lot??? Nicely the excellent news is now you’ll be able to mourn all you need and haven’t any work duties to be accountable for,” one particular person commented, whereas another person stated: “That is so pathetic. You are not the hero you assume you’re.”
In response to the unfavourable feedback, Lopez has shared a hyperlink to the Nationwide Community of Abortion Funds.
In addition they revealed in response to a different remark that, earlier than the put up gained traction, most of the replies had been “tremendous constructive”.
“I ain’t too frightened about my prospects, and I am used to the ups and downs as a employee within the leisure business. Undoubtedly pondering of pivoting to a non-profit,” they wrote.
In a press release to the New York Posta Common Music Group spokesperson stated from discussing Lope, earlier than including that the corporate coverage prohibits LinkedInz are “inaccurate”.
“UMG has a protracted report of assist for ladies’s points,” the spokesperson stated. “As we wrote to our US staff, UMG views reproductive well being care as important. Within the wake of the latest US Supreme Court docket ruling overturning Roe v Wade, the corporate has prolonged its efforts to guarantee that these essential healthcare companies stay accessible to staff. We additionally financially assist non-profit teams working on this space and supply a match for worker’s contributions to these teams, as effectively.”
The Impartial has contacted Lopez and UMG for remark.