Market Basket whistleblower experiences harassment, discrimination – and requires board to reinstate executives

A Market Basket worker is coming ahead with allegations of harassment and discrimination, claiming that the office atmosphere has turned poisonous, as she urges the board to reinstate executives.

Valerie Polito, who has labored at Market Basket for 35 years, has written a letter to the board — alleging that the favored grocery chain’s tradition and morale has gone downhill, because the battle for firm management performs out.

The board is now slamming the publicity of the letter, calling it a part of Arthur T. Demoulas’ “ruthless, no-holds-barred attack on Market Basket, the board, and even the majority stockholders.”

The present company feud began months in the past when the board introduced an investigation into Demoulas and different workers, who have been suspended.

The board claimed that that they had engaged in “improper retaliation” and deliberate a disruptive work stoppage. Since that bombshell in late Could, a number of of Demoulas’ allies have been fired.

Then lately, Polito, who’s a retailer operations supervisor, got here ahead with a letter to the board and shareholders about allegations of discrimination and harassment.

In her position, Polito mentioned she’s designated as one of many inside investigators accountable for reviewing such claims.

“I am writing on behalf of a group of committed and concerned associates, who, with a unified voice, wish to express a profound and growing alarm over the current state of our Corporate Office environment,” she wrote.

“What was once a culture grounded in mutual respect, integrity, and accountability has, in recent months, devolved into one defined by fear, hostility, and lack of direction,” Polito wrote, including, “Many have reported that expressing concerns or dissent are increasingly met with intimidation and retaliation. This punitive atmosphere has created a chilling effect where many now fear speaking openly.”

She cited an alleged incident involving Grocery Supervisor Kevin Feole, who apparently advised 4 front-end supervisors: “What are you, (expletive) stupid? Do you want to get fired?”

Feole allegedly mentioned this to the front-end supervisors after they requested for no adjustments to the districts they have been overseeing.

“The situation was further escalated by the fact that (Grocery Supervisor) Steve (Paulenka) was physically holding the office door handle, preventing the supervisors from leaving, which contributed to a hostile and intimidating atmosphere,” Polito wrote.

One other alleged incident concerned Paulenka, who was apparently noticed with an open knife on his desk throughout work hours.

“Beyond breaching company policy, this sends a disturbing message about what behaviors are tolerated in our professional workplace,” she wrote, including, “Associates have also expressed a sense of pervasive surveillance now overshadowing the workplace. Reports of associates being followed, excessively monitored, or scrutinized far beyond reasonable oversight are not isolated incidents. These actions erode morale, create psychological distress, and deeply damage trust.”

She within the letter known as for the board to reinstate Demoulas and different executives, together with lately fired Operations Director Joe Schmidt and Grocery Supervisor Tom Gordon.

“We implore the Board to act decisively— to reverse the damage done, rebuild trust, stability, operations continuity, and recommit to the values that made Market Basket what it is,” Polito wrote. “Their return is not only justified; it is necessary for the continued health, success, and reputation of Demoulas Super Markets.”

The board has scheduled to satisfy with Polito later this month.

“Everyone has a right to feel secure in their workplace and of course that includes Valerie Polito,” Market Basket board member Michael Keyes mentioned in an announcement. “We provided to satisfy with Ms. Polito to get extra particulars about her accusations, and even scheduled a gathering for August 21.  However as an alternative she has chosen to share her considerations with the media.

“We believe that her letter is part of Arthur Demoulas’s ruthless, no-holds-barred attack on Market Basket, the board, and even the majority stockholders,” the board member added. “Mr. Demoulas is reported to have mentioned on an earlier event that if he can’t be in cost, he’d somewhat burn all of it down, referring to Market Basket.

“Market Basket is a high-functioning operation that is running well,” he wrote. “The board and majority stockholders are committed to maintaining Market Basket with the same culture, low prices, and convenience for its cherished shoppers and hard-working associates no matter how low Mr. Demoulas stoops in his effort to regain his job.”