A man from New Zealand who was getting fired brought a support clown to his recent termination meeting. He brought the $200 performer along for comedic relief as his bosses fired him.
Ad man Joshua Jack, from Auckland, said he had a feeling he was going to be getting bad news after he received an email from his agency employer saying they needed to have a meeting to discuss his role this week. Jack told local radio station Magic Talk that the email mentioned he could bring a support person to the meeting, adding:
“I thought, it’s either a promotion or worse. I thought it was best to bring in a professional — so I paid $200 and hired a clown.”1
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Jack did end up getting fired, but said his bosses welcomed his support clown and could see the humorous side of the stunt. News of the support-clown spread quickly after the New Zealand Herald published a picture of Jack having a serious meeting with the emotional-support clown and two employers seated across from him.
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As Jack’s employers slipped him the termination paperwork across the table, his support clown mimed crying and created a balloon unicorn and poodle to lighten the mood. Jack said the clown was slightly distracting, but added:
“They were getting a free service and also getting the entertainment from Joe the clown. It was sort of noisy, him making balloon animals, so we did have to tell him to be quiet from time to time.”1
Recently, an increase of strange support animals have caused difficulties for airlines in the US. They’ve seen a support peacock, squirrel and duck, but it is unclear where they might stand on emotional support clowns.
