US companies struggle to balance stance post election

The victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections has left a number of companies struggling as they face a new challenge- striking the right balance in their post election messages to employees and customers.

Matt Maloney, the chief executive of the online food delivery company GrubHub, symbolised the dilemma of such companies caught on the wrong foot this, week after he sent an email to employees on Wednesday that appeared to call on people who did not agree with the company's policy of inclusion and diversity should resign.

''As we all try to understand what this vote means to us, I want to affirm to anyone on our team that is scared or feels personally exposed, that I and everyone else here at GrubHub will fight for your dignity and your right to make a better life for yourself and your family here in the United States,'' Maloney wrote.

''If you do not agree with this statement, then please reply to this email with your resignation because you have no place here,'' he said.

However, on Thursday, in an attempt to set the record straight he posted another message alongside the original message saying: ''I want to clarify that I did not ask for anyone to resign if they voted for Trump,'' Maloney wrote.

''I would never make such a demand. To the contrary, the message of the email is that we do not tolerate discriminatory activity or hateful commentary in the workplace, and that we will stand up for our employees.

Maloney, who had been supporting Hillary Clinton sent the original email, Wednesday after with the subject line, ''So…that happened…what's next?'' His message also made it clear that he was personally stunned and deeply concerned with the results of Tuesday's election.

''I absolutely reject the nationalist, anti-immigrant and hateful politics of Donald Trump and will work to shield our community from this movement as best as I can,'' Maloney wrote about Trump's supporters.