Is Jell-O wrestling in the office worth termination?
July 7, 2009 by StaffPosted in: Latest News & Views, Terminations
Whether it’s softball games or polar bear plunges, it can be difficult to draw the line between what extracurricular activities are fair or foul in the workplace.
That’s the lesson learned by scientists and researchers at McMurdo Base in Antarctica. After an investigation by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General and the National Science Foundation, an employee was terminated for organizing and participating in a jell-o wrestling match.
The event was held in a vehicle maintenance facility and was attended by most of the base’s staff, including New Zealanders from the nearby Scott Base.
After he was sacked, the event organizer sent an e-mail to the entire staff of the base, claiming he would file a suit for wrongful termination at the hand of the “fun nazis” — better known as Raytheon Polar Services, the contractor in charge of most of the base’s operations.
The former employee also argues that no one was hurt during the event, as opposed to the five MedEvacs that were required a few months earlier during a Raytheon-sponsored softball game. Additionally, no equipment was damaged, no one complained to HR and no nudity was involved — the “Polar Plunge” that occurred hours earlier involved plenty of skin, but no terminations resulted from it.
Other staff members have claimed every time they’re at the base, “the place just seems more and more emotionally beat down.”
“I know it is a workplace, but they are sucking all the fun out of the place,” said another researcher.
Tags: company events, firing
July 10th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
It’s just so sad that some sour apples have taken most of the fun out of the workplace…
Personally, I think that it stems from when society started pampering kids so that no one keeps score anymore so that no feelings get hurt because “everybody must win” and no one learns to deal with a little defeat or humility. Good grief!
July 10th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Wow, i just don’t know what to say aside for I wish that guy luck!!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
First off I totally agree with Lori.
It’s always been common practice/policy to get an OK from management when coordinating any event. however, I think if you fire this guy than you need to fire the other participants. I don’t think it’s an offense that should result in termination , but rather a verbal or written warning since according to the story no one was injured, nothing was damaged etc etc but if there has never been a policy stating you have to run events through management then maybe just a talking to and then implement such a policy.
Having formed, created, implemeneted policies and procedures for companies I tend to keep them simple. I dont ever make them confusing or put words in there that could confuse someone or they have no idea what it is. I encourage questions stating its better to be safe than sorry and they sign an acknowledgement and understand form. I tell employees if you aren’t sure just ask. We all love to have fun at work that’s what keeps employees from leaving or being unproductive but the wrong sort of fun can lead to a host of other issues.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I think they need to send some of the “artistic expressionists” from the stripper article down to Antarctica to liven things up a bit. Ohh that would be a bit chilly. Give him a warning and be done with it. Termination was far to severe for something harmless.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Why would he even need to be given a warning, if no one was hurt, no equipment was damaged and no one complained? What makes Jell-o wrestling worse than the ‘Polar Plunge’? Instead of termination, accolades for creativity in boosting morale might have been more appropriate. In this case, I think he should win a wrongful termination lawsuit.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I agree. If management did not approve of this activity and did not know about it, then why not? If they did know and allowed the event to occur, then they were in agreement through their complacency. Either way, I am glad I am not the HRD there.