An employee of a US-based tech company was terminated after reportedly using the N-word while traveling and causing a disturbance on a plane that was taxiing down the runway. The drunk passenger was also incorrectly wearing his face mask when approached by an African-American flight attendant. The plane returned to the gate and the passenger was removed from the flight.
The Omaha-based tech company Buildertrend bills itself as the Number 1 construction management software company and one of its employees was recently terminated after reportedly using the N-word while traveling for work.
The New York-bound Delta Airlines flight originated in Omaha, Nebraska and was forced to delay its departure after returning to the gate and deplaning all passengers including the man accused of using racial slurs.
Reporting by Kearney Hub notes that as the flight began taxiing for takeoff a group of four passengers wearing face masks with the Buildertrend logo were causing a disturbance in the back of the plane, including not wearing their masks properly.
An African-American flight attendant went back to confront the group where the man allegedly used the N-word in his interaction with the crewmember. According to the Kearney-Hub report, alcohol played a factor in the incident.
The plane returned to the gate, removed all passengers, and 2 of the 4 passengers in the Buildertrend group were disallowed from taking the journey.
Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton released an official statement condemning the actions, and indicating that one employee had been terminated.
Full Statement from Buildertrend CEO Dan Houghton:
Buildertrend has always been and will continue to be an inclusive and principled partner to our communities, customers and people. Since learning Monday of reports involving our employees, we have been actively investigating the incident with internal and external parties to learn as much as possible so that we can take appropriate action. We take these accounts of unacceptable behavior extremely seriously. Based on actions that do not align with Buildertrend’s values and standards of conduct, one employee has been terminated. We continue to investigate the incident and are working diligently to determine all requisite next steps. Buildertrend shares the frustration, disgust, and concern that many have expressed in the wake of this incident. This behavior does not reflect our values we hold as a company. We sincerely apologize to the passengers and employees of Delta Air Lines; to our employees and customers; our partners in business and philanthropy; and to the communities we serve. It is our promise to continue being outstanding stewards of the community and our employees. We will learn from this experience and continue to grow as a company.
Dan Houghton, CEO
