A Lowe’s executive apologized Tuesday after he described a drill as “perfect” for Hispanics with “smaller hands.”
“I am sorry for a careless and ignorant comment I made during an associate broadcast yesterday,” Joe McFarland, executive vice president of stores, said in a statement. “Our associates shared how my statement was harmful and inappropriate. This is a key reflection moment for me.”
Mr. McFarland made the offending comment during an in-house company video touting the $99 DeWalt 12-volt cordless drill.
“Some of our Hispanic pros with smaller hands, this is perfect for them,” the executive said in a video that was broadcast to managers gathered in Lowe’s conference rooms, The Washington Post first reported.
The Post reported that Lowe’s employees immediately started airing their concerns about the comments in online forums.
“Everybody in the room was just like, ‘What? Did he just say that?’ ” an assistant manager told the paper. “Immediately after it happened, everyone was just like, ‘Whoa, why would he say that?’ “
“What has my team more upset is, it feels like our leadership has looked the other way,” another employee said. “By them not posting the video like they always do, they know it was wrong but haven’t addressed it to the employees, so it makes me feel like they are trying to sweep it under the rug.”
Mr. McFarland said he takes “full responsibility” for his comment and that he would make an effort to “learn and grow from this moment.”
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