Welcome To The Purple Plague

Welcome to the online home of The Purple Plague

We are a group of ground-level employees dedicated to documenting the realities of the workplace experience at the FedEx Hagerstown Hub. Our mission is straightforward: to gather anonymous, honest, and fact-based information on conditions, policies, and managerial conduct in order to advocate for systemic improvements.

The Challenge: Closing the Gap Between Policy and Practice

The heart of our work is understanding the gap between the policies designed to protect us and the daily operational pressure we experience. We recognize that our work is demanding, and the speed of the job often makes it difficult to follow crucial safety procedures.

For example, the company’s policy is clear that "Safety Above All" (POLICY-013) is the absolute top priority. We all agree with this principle, but how often does daily pressure force us to compromise?

Consider these common situations where policy meets pressure:

• Lifting Heavy Packages: The procedure for packages over 50 pounds requires a Team Lift (KB000394668). However, the pressure to maintain flow means many of us feel we must skip this vital step, significantly increasing the risk of strain and injury.
  

• Productivity Standards: The official documentation explicitly states that Package Per Hour (PPH) standards are NOT quotas (DCK-010) and that employees cannot be disciplined for failing to meet them. Yet, the intense, daily focus on rate often feels like a direct quota, which compromises our ability to follow safe methods like proper stepping and pivoting.
  

These everyday challenges highlight where the system is failing the dedicated employees who rely on it.

Confidentiality is Our Highest Priority

We understand that speaking up can be difficult, which is why anonymity and confidentiality are our highest priorities. We do not collect names, and all information is kept private.

Data is only shared when communicating directly with government bodies—such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)—to enforce your federally protected rights. We need your story to make real change happen.

Your safety and job security are protected under federal law when participating in this concerted activity.

We encourage every employee to share their experience through our confidential survey today. By working together and gathering factual data, we can create a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.