**Title: US Healthcare Company Faces Backlash After Earthquake Warning to Employees in Colombia**
A Florida-based healthcare company, Blackstone Medical Services, is facing significant criticism following a controversial warning issued by a manager to employees in Colombia during a devastating earthquake. The 7.4-magnitude quake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in over 200 fatalities and leaving thousands unaccounted for. The earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across several cities, prompting the Colombian government to declare a national disaster.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, a video surfaced showing Jack Munoz, a manager at Blackstone's Medellin operation, addressing employees shortly after the tremor. In the footage, Munoz is heard stating, “I’m not going to give you the order to leave: whoever wants to leave can leave, but if nothing happens today, you will have to answer for abandoning your post.” This statement has led to widespread outrage, as many perceived it as a threat to employees considering evacuation during a life-threatening situation.
The video quickly went viral, igniting a wave of criticism on social media platforms. Users accused Blackstone Medical Services of mistreating its staff, leading to a flood of negative reviews on the company's Google profile. The incident has also attracted the attention of political figures in Colombia. Former Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino publicly condemned the company's actions, calling for immediate intervention from the Labor Ministry. He expressed concern for employees who spoke out about the incident, suggesting they could face disciplinary action for their comments.
“This cannot go unpunished,” Sanguino stated on social media platform X, urging authorities to support the affected workers.
In response to the backlash, Blackstone's founder and CEO, Vick Tipnes, defended the company's actions. He clarified that the earthquake struck Medellin at approximately 7:30 AM, before the company’s usual 9 AM opening time. According to Tipnes, around 90% of employees were not present at the office when the earthquake occurred. He emphasized that those who were in the building were evacuated safely, and the premises were inspected before staff returned to work.
Blackstone Medical Services, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, specializes in home testing for obstructive sleep apnea. Its Colombian operation provides essential clinical and administrative support to the company's U.S. business, including customer service, sales, logistics, medical authorizations, and collections.
As the situation continues to unfold, the company is likely to face ongoing scrutiny regarding its treatment of employees during emergencies. The incident raises broader questions about workplace safety and employee rights in crisis situations, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters.