Tyson Fires Seven After Probe Into Virus Betting Costs| Employees Compensation Information

Monday, December 21, 2020 | 98 | 0 | min read

Tyson Foods plans to lay off seven employees a month after allegations surfaced that managers at a meat packing plant in Iowa placed bets on how many workers would get the coronavirus.

Tyson “took immediate and appropriate action to find out the truth. After the investigation is complete, we will take action based on the findings,” CEO Dean Banks said Wednesday, according to USA Today and local news outlets.

Reports that factory managers had set up a COVID-19 betting pool came to light in November after families of deceased line workers filed negligence lawsuits against the meat processing giant. Tyson suspended seven superiors and hired former US Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate.

“We can tell you that Mr. Holder and his team specifically dealt with the game allegations and found enough evidence to dismiss those involved,” said a company spokesman.

Tyson did not disclose the names of the officers who were fired.

The news of the betting allegations came after dozens of workers across the country died when meat production continued during the pandemic. At Tyson’s Waterloo, Iowa facility, more than 1,000 of the 2,800 workers tested positive for the virus in the first few months of the infection.

Tyson and other meat companies have received many employee compensation claims this year from employees sick or killed by the virus. Tyson said it followed federal safety protocols, but some workers said they weren’t well protected.

The company also announced last week that it had hired a chief medical officer to focus on COVID-19 safety and employee health.