Sterling Heights marketer Stella Winkler was fired Friday after her standard poodle disgraced the CEO during a company-sponsored “Take Your Dog to Work” Day.
“We believe in having fun,” said Merit-Weiss HR Director Molly Turner, “but employees must be held accountable for the behavior of their pets.”
Twenty-five employees participated in the event. During lunch, the dogs – which ranged from Chihuahuas to a Great Dane – promenaded through the cafeteria so employees could vote on Most Industrious, Most Likely to Achieve Goals and other categories. The animals also received a personal “meet and greet” with CEO Harry Renaud.
“Most of the dogs were quite appreciative,” said Turner.
But when Winkler presented her poodle, Daisy, the dog promptly lifted its leg and relieved itself on Renaud’s shoes. As employees started to giggle, the CEO stormed out of the room, with his six VPs quickly following, and issued a layoff notice twenty minutes later. At the top of the list was Turner
“A CEO who’s seen getting peed on needs to reassert his authority,” said Turner. “That’s why Mr. Renaud took immediate action.”
Winkler protested that Daisy was just nervous about meeting the boss. “He didn’t mean anything by it,” she told the security guards who led her from the building.
In the secret ballot, meanwhile, Daisy was elected Most.
