FedEx Driver Fired Over Accent Sues for Discrimination
A driver for FedEx is suing the company for alleged discrimination over his accent.
Ismail Aliyev of Utah says he was fired from his job with FedEx in September because of his Russian accent.
Aliyev claims the company wouldn't allow him to demonstrate his English to corporate managers. The lawsuit also encompasses the long-haul contracting company that hired him and inevitably was told to fire him.
FedEx, which is based out of Memphis, Tenn., used GNB Trucking Co. for hiring Aliyev around Salt Lake City.
The driver said that within months of starting his work he was warned about his strong accent, as having the ability to communicate properly is one of the requirements of having a commercial driver's license.
Aliyev commented to The Associated Press about the situation saying, "I think for a driver, my English is not too bad."
According to the driver's lawyer, GNB Trucking Co. didn't have a problem with Aliyev and said he was a good employee. However, FedEx told the small company that they wanted him fired.
A lawsuit was filed by Aliyev on Nov. 23 with an unspecified amount of damages being sought.
This isn't the first time the man experienced discrimination as he and his family was forced to flee Russia in 2005. They ended up as Turkish political refugees in Utah where he eventually started work as a driver.
"It really does hurt," said the driver's son Elshad. "We lost everything in Russia."
Since GNB Trucking has no authority over the hiring and firing process, the managers at the company suspect that Aliyev failed an English language test that was given by FedEx.
But the driver's son says his father passed the company's test.
"He was told to write something on a blackboard and read some papers," Elshad said.
Aliyev currently works as an independent trucker and has held a commercial license since 2009 and hasn't had any problems with his record before FedEx ordered his termination, according to media reports.