A former advertising copywriter who captured international attention when he brought a clown to his redundancy meeting has highlighted the importance of having a support person during difficult professional meetings, an expert says.
During the meeting with the man's FCB ad agency bosses, the clown reportedly blew balloons and feigned crying when the redundancy paperwork was brought out.
"A while ago, I got a job. A short while later, I lost it. For anyone who hasn't been fired, what happens is they schedule a serious meeting and advise you to bring a 'support person'. Sensing the bad news, I decided I'd need the best support person available, so I spent $200 to hire a clown," the man, understood to be Joshua Thompson, posted on social media.
- Auckland adman hires professional clown for redundancy meeting
- Axed adman Joshua Thompson's 'redundancy clown' gag was to feature in comedy routine before it was leaked
- Advertising copywriter who brought clown to redundancy meeting 'a hero'
The unusual stunt has been widely reported internationally, with social media users labelling Thompson a hero.
Thompson told Stuff he couldn't be interviewed because he had an "exclusivity agreement with the New Delhi Times", but his social media posts show he seemed bemused by the attention.
Frog Recruitment director Jane Kennelly said future employers would probably take it in the spirit it was intended.
"I would like to give the benefit of the doubt on this one and say it will be taken in good humour. Presuming he's a talented, clever adman he will probably never be out of work. Job opportunities will be available for him. One agency's loss is another agency's win," she said.
Especially in the world of advertising where large account losses inevitably lead to job losses, she said.
"In that situation it's a foregone conclusion. They have to streamline the account, so I can understand why he decided to approach it in a more frivolous fashion," Kennelly said.
Kennelly said it was important that people understood the role of a support person in a redundancy meeting.
"It is really to offer moral support and just to be another pair of ears on the conversation when someone's role is in jeopardy. People get very frightened - this is their livelihood that's being talked about," she said.
Because those situations can come as a shock to people, Kennelly said it was a good idea to take someone else along for support. They were awkward situations that needed to be approached with dignity and respect.
Having a support person meant "you've got someone on your side".
