Writing "Eat a Dick" on the inside lid of a box holding a penis-shaped cake you have delivered to an employee won't even earn you a nomination for the Worst Employer of 2023.
But doing so when you're the company's HR manager? That will earn you a well-deserved nomination to this year's list.
According to a recently filed lawsuit (as reported by KATU), a Hispanic janitorial operations manager of Aspen Ridge Property Services received at his home a cake in the shape of a "large ... chocolate penis and scrotum … with the message 'Eat A D--k' on the inside box cover," sent by the company's HR manager. We know it was the HR manager because she mistakenly left her name on the package as the shipping address.
When the employee complained to Aspen Ridge, it offered him a $50 gift card and a promised apology from the HR manager, which never happened. He quit and sued for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
According to the employee's attorney, "To allow a supervisory employee in a position of power—especially one with responsibility for human resources functions—to act in such a blatantly racist and harassing manner toward an employee is inexcusable." And that's precisely why Aspen Ridge Property Services is my 9th nominee for the Worst Employer of 2023.