When Work Feels Like a Circus, Send in the Clowns
Losing a job is serious. But this story isn't.
Hello!
Yesterday I sat down in front of my computer and opened a dozen tabs on topics I’d been curious about.
I wasn’t short of ideas to write about, but nothing felt right.
Then I had a chat with a friend about redundancies1.
I was annoyed that Amazon had bungled the communication around their latest round of job cuts.
I’ve written about redundancy communication many times over the years, because it’s one of those things that deserves time and care. People are losing their jobs—it’s a big deal.
My friend and I talked about how the rules differ by country, including the fact that in some places you’re allowed to bring a union rep or ‘support person’ to the initial meeting.2
Then I remembered a story I read years ago about one person’s creative response to their redundancy meeting.
And of course, I was curious….
In 2019, Josh Thompson received an ominous email from his boss.
“Hi Josh, we’d like to meet with you to discuss some matters in regards to your role.”
Thompson, who was working as a copywriter for FCB New Zealand, suspected he was facing redundancy.
Under New Zealand law, employees are allowed to bring a ‘support person’ to such meetings.
HR encouraged him to do so.
“Basically I sensed that this was going to be a redundancy,” Thompson would later tell the New York Post.
“So I thought I might as well try to make the best out of this situation.”
But instead of bringing a trusted colleague or friend, Thompson made a different choice.
“I thought it’s best to bring in a professional,” he said.
“So I paid $200 and hired a clown.”
The clown – Joe – arrived at the meeting decked out in a blue wig, bright yellow vest and multi-colored trousers.
And he came ready to work.
As the meeting began, Joe pulled out an air pump and started twisting balloon animals.
When Thompson was told his role at the company was being eliminated, Joe mimed crying — and then twisted up a balloon unicorn.
But if you’re thinking of hiring a clown to bring to a redundancy meeting, be warned:
A clown making balloon animals can be distracting.
“It was sort of noisy, him making balloon animals, so we did have to tell him to be quiet from time to time.”
Though Thompson lost his job that day, he didn’t walk out empty-handed.
He left with two balloon animals.
And a good story.
How Can I Help?
I’ll keep saying it: Communication matters.
If you want to improve your communication (and get all the good things that come with that), I’m your gal.
So many companies could reap significant benefits – from performance and culture to retention and engagement – by improving their communication.
So, if you know someone who could benefit from some help (as even the most seasoned leaders do), please get in touch and check out my website for more information.
You can also see my Top 10 list of what I can (and can’t) do for you here.
And if you see any communication examples (the good, the bad, and the ugly) that you think are worth analyzing or sharing, please send them my way!
Stay Curious!
-Beth
AKA Job losses
Can you do this in the US? Canada?
This guy's a legend.