PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Verizon worker considered a hero by a Philadelphia neighborhood for taking quick action to rescue a cat has been suspended by the company for violating safety protocol.
Cell phone video captured the rescue on March 16.
Neighbors on the 2500 block of East Monmouth Street in Port Richmond had been trying for an hour to rescue "Princess Momma," a cat who somehow got stuck at the top of a utility pole.
Verizon worker Maurice German was on the scene and used his bucket truck to rescue the animal.
No one was injured - feline or human.
But, a Verizon spokesman told Action News that because German's good deed violated safety protocol, and was actually pretty dangerous due to the electrical lines in the area, the company had no choice but to suspend him.
That suspension is three weeks without pay.
Verizon issued the following statement:
"We take no joy when our employees face consequences related to their job duties. We are, however, fully committed and responsible for keeping our employees and customers safe. All of our field technicians go through extensive training that is focused on workplace safety. Our goal is to keep our employees and our customers out of harm's way.
For safety reasons, our trucks and related equipment are not intended to be used in the area in which he was operating, specifically around electrical wires. While our actions may not be popular, he potentially put his life and those around him in jeopardy. To show our support for animal rescue efforts, Verizon has made a donation to the Pennsylvania SPCA in Fishtown, an organization that helps care for and provide homes for abandoned cats and other animals."
Neighbors said they are more than grateful for German's heroic act.
:( Give the guy a warning. Don’t suspend him without pay for being a nice person. This is such bad press for you guys and I’ve already read about people deciding to switch companies away from you. You handled this badly and unfortunately both your company and this heroic man will suffer for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is disgusting to suspend a man for saving a life. To Verizon, I understand you have safety protocols but suspend this man without pay is ridiculous. Shame on you. He did a wonderful thing and you punish him for it and make him go 3 weeks with no paycheck. Soome of us live paycheck to paycheck. Verizon has not handled this in a professional nor fair manner. After reading all the comments and write ups regarding this story do you think all of us are wrong? I think not. The least you could do is pay this man. Boy you could have used this story to your advantage instead of using it to piss people off. I am so glad I have no dealings with Verizon. Nothing but unfeeling, money hungry jerks. Shame on you Verizon.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that saying, "No good deed goes unpunished."
ReplyDeleteYeah for a caring, kind hearted man for animals as well as people. Now I know why I quit Verizon besides they charge too much for their bad services.
This could have been handled in a win-win manner as a human interest story for Verizon. Instead Verizon chose to make this employee an example so as not to set a precedent. He could have been reprimanded, but should not have lost his pay for 3 weeks. As per usual, Verizon didn't consider the positive approach. I wonder if they donated the amount of his lost wages to the SPCA? I BET NOT.
This is so wrong. I see that many people agree. You blew it big time Verizon!
ReplyDeleteIs there a Go Fund Me page, or somewhere that I can donate, to help this wonderful man and his family? Suspended for 3 weeks without pay?? That's total BS! ��
ReplyDeleteIt seems a rather extreme punishment for a well intentioned person.
ReplyDeletedisgrace, this company should be ashamed of themselves. Verizon will not get my business.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO wrong.
ReplyDeleteHonestly that man should have had a bonus instead of a suspension without pay.
Clearly Verizon are animal haters!!! I don't care if they did donate to the local SPCA.
They only did that to avoid too much bad press, well guess what? You have put your self in a shit storm and you deserve it!
I would NEVER buy or support their business knowingly on purpose. Infact the more people who boycut Verizon the better.
I hope the worker who ended up with a suspesion is headhunted by a company who can see what he did was the proper action at that time.