If you saw that kind of ad, would you apply? Twenty four people did and were interviewed on video, which got posted on You Tube. Eighteen million views later, most of North America knows what the job is and who’s behind it.
In case you haven’t here’s a hint: “It’s not just a job. It’s probably the most important job.” One more, “If you had a life, we’d probably ask you to give that life up.”
Being as how this is Roundup, and, giddy up, I can be snarky, as one corporate PR guy told me this week, here’s a video parodying the first one.
Bud Light created the video, which ends with a suggestion to share a beer this weekend. Here’s a helpful tip for those of you whose moms don’t think a six-pack is the height of thoughtfulness: think brunch and flowers on Sunday.
From the “What Were They Thinking” File
Dennis Smith, owner of Calabash Seafood Restaurant, had enough of the vandalism in the men’s restroom. So what did he go and do but install a security camera. It was aimed at the door, not the toilets, but, you know, things happen that shouldn’t be on video.
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Complaints were made. The cops came, seized the camera and the tapes, and a grand jury indicted Smith for his indecent act.
Employment lawyers have since weighed in on the issue, bemoaning the fact that Smith should have consulted one of them before doing what he did.
That’s what lawyers do, but seriously, you need a lawyer to tell you video cameras in toilets, dressing rooms, and locker rooms (the NFL excepted) are a bad idea? This is a job for HR. And the company shrink.
One bit of lawyerly advice that is worth noting (and which will give this item it’s redeeming social value) comes from Fisher & Phillips attorney Richard Meneghello who says installing cameras in other parts of a business is probably OK if you have a legitimate business interest. In that case:
…alert your employees in no uncertain terms that they have no reasonable expectation of privacy in these areas, explicitly informing them of the presence of cameras. Signage is helpful, but you will also want a signed acknowledgment from your employees as part of their new-hire paperwork. Finally, you will want to limit your surveillance to video — audio recording raises a whole host of other legal concerns under state and federal wiretapping laws.
