HR’s strange side: Fired for urinating on Old Faithful
May 22, 2009 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Behavior, Discipline, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Terminations
We’re pretty sure this is a unique case in the annals of termination causes.
Two seasonal employees at Yellowstone National Park got the axe after a security camera caught them urinating on the Old Faithful geyser site.
Not only that, but one of the ex-employees, a 23-year-old man, was fined $750 and placed on three years of unsupervised probation for (we guess) unauthorized urinating, being off trail in a restricted area and taking items from the area. The man has been banned from visiting Yellowstone — to urinate or for any other purpose — for two years.
A spokesman for the park was quick to point out that the geyser was not erupting at the time of the incident and that such incidents are “rare.”
Tags: HR, Old Faithful, Yellowstone
May 26th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Upon further investigation, they discovered he had been seen urnating every 91 minutes. . . like clockwork, since joining the park service. . .
May 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Oh if only this was the worst thing I had to deal with…
May 26th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
LOL @ Kevin Corrigan
May 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Kevin! I needed that “chuckle” today!
May 28th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Ok, that is CRAZY!! Thank goodness the geyser wasn’t erupting….OUCH! I also thank you for the chuckle.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am
I wonder if they got unemployment….
June 1st, 2009 at 11:16 am
I wonder if this would have been considered a claim for Worker’s Compensation if the geyser would have made it’s mark on these two men? LOL
June 1st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Indecent exposure anyone? Imagine if that got tacked on.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Good one Kevin
June 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Great one Sue R.!
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 am
Was yellow snow used as evidence?
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Wait a second! The government has cameras in its National parks and wilderness areas to catch people peeing? I think the Department of Homeland Security may have gone too far. Next time I go camping I will have to jump into the river to relieve myself. Of course, they probably have chemicals added to the water to make it change color.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Worked one summer about 12 years ago flagging traffic for a road project at Crater Lake Park…..was told there was a $500 fine for peeing behind a bush….nearest portapottie was about 1/2 mile away….wonder if they fine the bear and the elk?