Ford Motor Company

[CLittle <cathymon@yahoo.com>]

Fired at Ford: account of a single black working mother tells her story.

I grew up in Michigan. 30 minutes outside of Detroit. I earned a Bachlor’s Degree in Communications. 

I was employed full time at Ford Motor Company in 1995. I was transferred to Atlanta, purchased my first home and lived there for a year. I was later transferred to Houston, TX. I was given typical assignments. 

And then I got pregnant. At 7 months pregnant, I advised the company. My boss told me he was disappointed I hadn’t shared the news. 

While I was pregnant I advised him I was told by my doctor NOT to travel. He continued pressing the issue. Telling me we had a meeting in Dallas. He offered to drive. I had to again remind him by Doctor’s order that I was not permitted travel.

My performance dropped from Excellent previous to maternity leave to Satisfactory Minus when I returned.  When I returned from maternity leave I was told my area of travel would be “doubled”.
I was now being asked to travel in an area that was racist. My boss told me I would now be required to spend the night. He ignored me when I told him the area was racist and not conducive to a single black female. My coworker told me of an account where she was almost run off the road by a man driving a truck with a confederate flag. When I advised my boss of my concerns about the area and requested travel his response was: don’t gas up on Mondays. (Even if I used the gas up in the car)

 My boss passed me up for promotions and merits advising me that the performance could not hold its weight. All of which were subjective evaluations. I was given the most difficult market in the region due to the area and number of dealerships….34.

After much harassment I was advised to leave March of 2000.
I am very disappointed in the company for which I have had a lot of loyalty and dedication.

It is has been a long road and definitely an unfair battle.