A collection of unusual and quirky stories from across Canada and around the world
BUGGED OUT AT WORK
AUGUSTA, GA. — Employees were forced out of city offices in Augusta, Ga., recently after an unhappy citizen showed up with an unwelcome “gift.” The unidentified man showed up at the offices several times on a Friday afternoon to complain about bedbugs at his apartment, and was looking for assistance in finding another apartment. When he learned he didn’t qualify because of his income, the man dumped a cup of bedbugs on the customer service counter, according to the Kennebec Journal. “He told police he wanted them to experience the same thing he was experiencing,” said Matt Nazar, city development director. The offices re-opened the following Monday after being sprayed with bedbug-killing chemicals by a pest control company.
SPIKED AGENDA
OTTAWA — A 27-year government employee found to have spiked an office water cooler with chlorine lost his bid to have his dismissal overturned recently. Keven Knox was working at a Canadian Food Inspection Agency lab in Ottawa in September 2011 but was terminated nine months later when it was determined he had used the chlorine, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Knox filed a grievance but the Public Service Relations Board determined the decision to suspend and then fire Knox was reasonable and necessary. While Knox denied putting bleach in the water, video surveillance suggested otherwise. “The grievor was observed on security video pursuing a course of actions in the workplace that implicated him in an incident that jeopardized the health and safety of his co-workers,” said adjudicator Bryan Gray.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
NEW YORK — The amiable mascot for the New York Mets showed off his darker side at a game recently — and was fired as a result, according to the Associated Press. “Mr. Met” was working at a game against the Milwaukee Brewers — where the New York team was losing 7-1 — when a fan asked him about the game. The mascot flashed his middle finger (one of four), and a video of the incident soon went viral. More than one person wears the costume but this particular individual would not do so again, according to an official. “We apologize for the inappropriate action of this employee,” said the Mets in an email. “We do not condone this type of behaviour. We are dealing with this matter internally.”
SKIRTING THE ISSUE
PARIS — A heat wave in Europe tested company dress code policies recently, as seen when bus drivers in Nantes, France, protested a ban on wearing shorts. The six men turned up to work in skirts instead of the expected uniform of long pants, according to the Telegraph, denouncing the “unacceptable” working conditions in vehicles with no air conditioning. “Our uniform is not appropriate for these high temperatures. We envy women at moments like this,” said Didier Sauvetre, a driver from the CFDT union. Temperatures in the buses were near 50C, according to Gabriel Magner, another union member. “A modern approach would allow us to wear long shorts from time to time. Women drivers can wear skirts, but not the men. It’s a form of discrimination.” As a result, the company, Semitan, decided to relax its strict dress policy — temporarily. “‘Equipping all the staff would have a huge cost and the new buses are all equipped with air conditioning, even in the cab,” said CEO Pascal Bolo. “My office is not air-conditioned, either.”
NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK
OXFORD, N.J. — Sanitation workers in Oxford, N.J., were given an extra task recently when a distraught woman came looking for a beloved necklace. Samantha LaRochelle had been admitted to hospital and while unconscious, staff removed her precious pendant and accidentally threw it in the trash, according to the Associated Press. The sanitation company that handles hospital waste was tracked down — with help from a police officer looking at nine hours of surveillance video — and after a two-hour search with others looking through 15 tons of hospital waste, worker Steve Acierno found the prized necklace. “She was super-excited to have it back.” Just a great start to our day. We were all really happy for her,’’ he said. LaRochelle later treated the workers to lunch and cake. “It’s something I could never replace and they took the time, the effort,’’ she said.
