Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by janrinok on Tuesday September 17 2019, @07:07PM   Printer-friendly
from the still-smiling dept.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/13/new-zealand-man-copywriter-clown-redundancy

An Auckland advertising copywriter brought a clown to his redundancy meeting, as first reported in the New Zealand Herald on Friday. New Zealand legally requires employers to allow workers the option of bringing a support person to serious disciplinary meetings, usually relating to an employee's prospective dismissal.

After FCB New Zealand lost a significant client and began layoffs, Josh Thompson, who had reportedly been with the company for five months, received an ominous email from his bosses that read: "Bad news. We're having a meeting to discuss your role."

Faced with the task of securing an appropriate support person for the potentially tense meeting, Thompson, a comedian who performs under the name Joshua Jack, said: "I thought it's best to bring in a professional, and so I paid $200 and hired a clown."

The clown, who Thompson refers to as "Joe", crafted balloon animals throughout the meeting, including a poodle. His antics were squeaky, and Thompson's bosses had to request he quieten down several times.

"It's further understood," reported the Herald, "that the clown mimed crying when the redundancy paperwork was handed over."


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday September 17 2019, @07:45PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday September 17 2019, @07:45PM (#895341) Journal

    No Such Thing As Bad Press?

    Unless you're stuck in the rollers / drums of the press.

    "Bad news. We're having a meeting to discuss your role."

    I suppose the word "roll" would have also worked for that email subject.

    --
    To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2