Verizon Suspends Worker Who Rescued Cat
In a controversial decision, Verizon has suspended a worker without pay for rescuing a kitty on the company’s dime.
Philadelphia resident Maurice German violated Verizon’s safety rules earlier this month by using one of the company’s hydraulic cherry pickers to rescue the cat from atop a utility pole, the company said on Monday. As a result, German has been relieved of his duties for the next three weeks.
The news has sparked outrage among members of the online community, who have praised German as a “hero” while calling Verizon “heartless.” Two Go Fund Me accounts set up for the suspended worker have already brought in more than $10,000.
For its part, Verizon is sticking to its guns. A rep says, “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.”
