A Campbell’s Soup Company executive is on temporary leave after reportedly making derogatory remarks about the company’s products. This incident came to light during a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Robert Garza, a former security analyst.
Garza was hired remotely at Campbell’s New Jersey headquarters in September 2024. He claims he was fired in January after raising concerns about Vice President Martin Bally’s offensive comments. According to Garza, during a meeting in November, Bally criticized Campbell’s products and made racist remarks about Indian employees. He also allegedly admitted to coming to work under the influence of marijuana.
Garza recorded these conversations after feeling uneasy about them, capturing remarks like, “We have shit for fucking poor people.” Bally reportedly expressed his disdain for the quality of Campbell’s offerings and the people who buy them.
Feeling disgusted after the meeting, Garza reported Bally’s behavior to his supervisor, JP Aupperle, in January. Just 20 days later, he was let go. His lawyer, Zachary Runyan, stated that Garza was advocating for his colleagues when he reported the incident. He added, “Robert’s actions should have been protected, not punished.”
Garza’s lawsuit alleges retaliatory dismissal and claims a racially hostile work environment. It points out that neither Campbell’s nor HR followed up on his report.
In response, Campbell’s stated they are investigating the allegations and have temporarily placed Bally on leave. The company emphasized that any unacceptable comments in the recording don’t reflect their values. Additionally, a spokesperson confirmed that all the chicken used in their soups is real and comes from trusted USDA-approved sources.
This isn’t the first time an employee has criticized their own company’s products. For instance, in 1991, Gerald Ratner of the Ratner Group called his jewelry “total crap.” That remark led to a significant decline in sales and the closure of hundreds of stores. Similarly, in 2017, Huawei’s Eric Xu questioned the value of smartwatches, saying he found them confusing alongside smartphones.
Garza’s experience shows how important it is for companies to foster a respectful workplace and protect whistleblowers. Recent surveys indicate that 70% of employees believe it’s crucial for organizations to maintain strong ethics and conduct employee training on these matters.
For more details on workplace ethics, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
