In the wake of a devastating tragedy at Impact Plastics in Nashville, Tennessee, the company’s attempt to offer condolences to the families of deceased employees has backfired spectacularly, igniting public outrage and intensifying accusations of corporate insensitivity. Instead of providing meaningful support, Impact Plastics reportedly sent Fast Food Gift Cards to grieving families, a gesture widely perceived as deeply inappropriate and adding insult to injury.
The incident at Impact Plastics unfolded last fall when Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding at the factory. Tragically, some employees did not escape in time, resulting in fatalities. While Impact Plastics denies allegations that they prevented employees from leaving as the floodwaters rose, the families of the victims are now grappling with both their profound loss and what they see as a shockingly inadequate response from the company.
Guillermo Mendoza, whose mother Bertha Mendoza lost her life in the flood, described the moment he received the company’s condolences alongside his mother’s final paycheck. “It had some McDonald’s gift cards,” Mendoza recounted, expressing his disbelief and pain. The package contained $100 worth of fast food gift cards, including options for McDonald’s, Walmart, and Pal’s – another fast-food chain in the region. Mendoza interpreted the gesture as a dismissive and deeply insensitive message: “‘your mom died. Go get a burger.'”
Robert Jarvis, a surviving employee who also received fast food gift cards, echoed Mendoza’s sentiments. “I was shocked, and it bothered me,” Jarvis stated, highlighting the widespread feeling of being devalued and disrespected by their employer. The fast food gift cards, intended as a gesture of sympathy, instead became a stark symbol of corporate disconnect and a failure to understand the gravity of the situation.
Legal action is now underway. The class action law firm Milberg is representing Jarvis, the Mendoza family, and other affected families. Attorney Luke Widener condemned the gift cards, calling them “a slap in the face” to those already suffering immense loss. The legal team is pursuing justice for the families, seeking to hold Impact Plastics accountable for their actions both during the flood and in their subsequent response.
The controversy surrounding the fast food gift cards has amplified the public relations crisis for Impact Plastics. The company’s silence and lack of direct communication with the families, coupled with the perceived insensitivity of the gift cards, paints a picture of corporate indifference in the face of tragedy. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of empathy and appropriate responses in corporate crisis management. When human lives are lost, gestures like fast food gift cards not only fall short but actively deepen the pain and anger of those affected, potentially leading to long-term damage to a company’s reputation and public trust.
