FedEx Driver Fired Over Russian Accent Sues

A former FedEx driver was fired over his accent, according to a lawsuit by the disgruntled former employee, who states he even offered to appear before corporate employees to demonstrate his proficiency in English.

The former FedEx driver, Russian immigrant Ismail Aliyev, filed the federal discrimination lawsuit against the shipping company, as well as the long-haul contractor that employed him and was ordered to fire him, reports Yahoo! Finance.

Aliyev worked for GNB Trucking Co. in West Valley, near Salt Lake City. The small business owns and operates FedEx trucks and also provides uniformed drivers for them.

The FedEx driver received a warning for his accent months after the job started when he was at an Iowa weigh station. One requirement for holding a commercial driver’s license is the ability to communicate.

While he does have a Russian accent, the former FedEx driver doesn’t believe it is difficult to understand. Aliyev stated, “I think for a driver, my English is not too bad.”

Via: Inquisitr