The co-founder of food delivery service Grubhub says statements he made in an email to all his employees "have been misconstrued" and claims he "did not ask anyone to resign if they voted for Trump."
Some have said the email from CEO Matt Maloney suggested that supporters of President-elect Donald Trump should resign, but Maloney has since said he welcomes all employees, regardless of their political beliefs.
The email Wednesday said Maloney rejects Trump's "nationalist, anti-immigrant and hateful politics."
"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," the email continued. "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."
In a tweet Thursday that was later deleted, Maloney said: "Grubhub does not tolerate hate and we are proud of all our employees — even those who voted for Trump."
Maloney issued a statement Friday saying his email advocated for inclusion and tolerance and that Grubhub doesn't discriminate based on political beliefs.
"I would never make such a demand," he wrote. "To the contrary, the message of the email is that we do not tolerate discriminatory activity or hateful commentary in the workplace, and that we will stand up for our employees. 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."
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Chicago-based Grubhub connects online customers with takeout restaurants in the U.S. and London.
