MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
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Shout out to Maurice German for helping this cat that had been stuck on this pole for over 12 hours.
Sauce# https://www.newsweek.com/philadelphia-verizon-maurice-german-princess-momma-cat-rescue-amanda-1373627
burningitchyrash
Suspended without pay for 3 weeks/ GoFundMe page has enough to cover his wages plus $1000. Win/win.
kthnxbye
Workers die all the time from incidents with power lines. Wouldn’t Verizon basically have to suspend him to be in compliance with OSHA?
88wut
“I didn’t need to be rescued. I got up there without a crane. I guess humans want to be heroes.” - cat
cattywumpus
Ok, so I adore my cat, but I wouldn't want anyone to put their life or job in danger for her.
DeadGremlin
Verizon's reaction
creekjumper
As the firefighters say for the reason they don't rescue cats, "have you ever seen the skeleton of a cat in a tree?"
tmac804
I go up in buckets just like this guy and as much as I respect him for saving the cat going up past the electric is all kinds of dangerous
Shardinian
Doing what's proper, doing what's expected and doing what's right are rarely the same thing
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
NachoPete
Just because something violates policy that doesn't mean it's wrong.
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
Agreed
Yoosunofabich
Stuck? Or overseeing its territory?
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
RanOverMyOwnFoot
Don’t take pictures
GoodRascal
You can't blame companies that have sued over and over for having rules and results like this.
wookiewookiewoo
Typical corporate bullshit. I hate them. Why do they have the have the most reliable network?! Why?!
GrunticusrulerofRelmz
Every cable company uses power poles for their lines so doing his normal job puts him “at risk”. Hypocrisy at it’s finest.
sevenonesicks
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wkbw.com/news/spectrum-contractor-electrocuted-on-the-job%3F_amp%3Dtrue
735824
As a verizon customer I'm aware that everything they do is based on corporate greed.
LawyerPickleRick
Fuck Verizon he did the right thing of course. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone already made him a job offer
trojanknight421
Verizon blazing a path to squander good-will generated by this generous act of community service.
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
waitdoyounot
Nice, a go fund me was set up for him and already passed the goal (and is now closed). Good people.
marrypoppins
Workers coming in contact with powerlines kill is the leading cause of death by electrocutions in the US....he did not have the training to
DespiseEveryone
Where is the powerline in the picture? Stop defending stupidity.
MediocreMrFox
Did you read the link?
marrypoppins
do this safely. Verizon was right with suspending him...its a heartwarming story but those things jerk and he could have easily contacted
marrypoppins
it. Ignoring it and praising the worker would just encourage others to try this in the future and they might not turn out so lucky.
CoRektiveAction
As a lineman I can assure you nobody is more aware of power lines than the man in the bucket. Especially since that's a construction bucket.
TheCrusher78
I'm on the fence.. I love cats but also see it in the eyes of a company who could have gone though a lawsuit if anything bad happened..
Yuktio
It's the same logic as somebody running into a building that's on fire to rescue someone. It's noble, but you're putting 2 lives at risk
Yuktio
instead of just the one. If it goes well, great. If it doesn't, you've made the situation so much worse than it already was.
Yuktio
In this situation he should've contacted the fire department, who are equipped and trained for this kind of situation.
ITalkAboutGoats
They don't rescue cats. It's a myth.
MicahtheMartian
It's likely they had to do this because of their insurance. If people wouldn't fucking publicize everything, we could do a lot more good.
clamdriver
That's exactly what those trucks are designed for. Safely carry the employee, with attached lanyard, to an elevated position. WTF
random34567
Fuck Verizon. Totally over priced for the same quality service as everyone else.
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
kthnxbye
When I go camping I am the only one who gets reception so I am stuck with it.
Hyero
In my area I have service literally anywhere including my friend's wifi signal death trap while my friends don't. It is overpriced though.
kesterke
Unpopular opinion; I agree with Verizon on this one. The rules are there for not only his safety, but the safety of everyone else.
EarthDragon2189
I'd understand the outrage against Verizon if they had punished him for trying to save a human being. A cat? Nah.
tylerthedm84
Yup. Me too.
GuyDarras
The policy makes sense. The enforcement of it in this situation doesn't.
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
Nick3571
I haven’t seen that many dead cats in trees either.
QuackQuackAttack
Cats also can climb down, they just forget until they are motivated.
newsguycraigevans
This is correct
Hyero
Everyone but the cat lol
setschosen080
As an electrician, I am very aware of how close I can be to power lines. Save the poor cat you heartless bastards.
HisBabes
There is/was a great group of tree climbers & linemen that volunteer rescuing trees cats. Used them once for our kitten. They use their -
HisBabes
experience so others aren’t endangered trying to climb trees or poles. There was a website with info on how to contact the closest one.
Cal1te
Point is he could well not be an electrician/HV qualified. Which is where there is a large element of risk.
lurkmoarjono
if he is a line tech or field tech he would be qualified. baristas dont go up that ladder. you need an EE background.
Cal1te
Can't talk for Verizon,but BT techs,whilst having a EE background generally aren't HV qualified. Completely different case to data lines.
theangryjanitor
I predict job offers in his future. And a stern scolding from the friends and family members of those responsible for his termination.
pandro
He'd be a potential liability for his new employer because he might defy rules again. Same reason whistleblowers never get another job.
McJersey
He wasn't terminated it says SUPENDS literally in all caps...
AntiSaneity
Scolding for what? It's a justified suspension. Applaud the guy for his actions but don't act like he's entirely in the right.
theangryjanitor
If he had let that cat die up there when he could have saved it this would be an entirely different conversation.
AntiSaneity
Safety guidelines aren't put in place to protect cats on poles near powerlines. Regardless of public opinion, the suspension is justified.
theangryjanitor
I didn't read the article:( what did he do exactly that compromised public safety? Was it just misuse of company property?
AntiSaneity
Article says he used the lifter near power lines - big no-no for obvious safety reasons.
fadingtheory
*Worker saves cat* That's dangerous! *Causes multiple collisions during winter slush* They're following company policy.
sevenonesicks
Except that was Comcast.
SerenePrincess013
Verizon did it too, in my area. One kid got seriously hurt.
Elerich
Dont forget Verizon also throttled the fire department's unlimited data plan during the California fires too.
MrMeeSeeksLookAtMe2
asconsistentasamodahahahaha
As a retired Verizon Employee I am aware of how stupid their management is.
DefinitelyHungry
I question this because every person I know personalally who worked for verizon as an engineer loved it.
asconsistentasamodahahahaha
As an engineer? That's a management position.
Movietimeme
A few years ago I got to sit in on an all hands meeting and listen to the VPs talk. I was blown away with there disregard for customer care
Mobileuserwholikestoberandom
Work Stories post coming soon?
robhin227
As a employee of any corporation, management tends to be quite stupid.
WaffleDestroyer
As an AT&T customer: WTF VERIZON???
CmfMttnPpl
They pretty much just admitted that they dont trust their employees to operate their own equipment...lol
badClementine
As a customer, so am I.
kalutheace
Verizon hired a failed Ericsson CEO, who was fired and embroiled in excessive spending case within the organization. Not only that he 1/2
kalutheace
Brought his idiotic strategy head from Ericsson who nearly ran the Ericsson down with her bad strategy . No wonder Verizon is struggling.
Havak
As a person that lives in a world with Verizon, I am well aware of how stupid the entire company, and everything about it, is.
ThePastmaster
One of my friends got sacked & the manager said WITH A STRAIGHT FACE that he was detrimental to Verizons "Good reputation & social standing"
freezingpilot
Well at that point you really arn't burning any bridges if you tell him to shove it up his ass.
ThePastmaster
I think he did say something like that.
REVENGE488
How did you manage to work for them long enough to retire without being laid off?
Fdragon1337
The non Wireless side is unionized.
asconsistentasamodahahahaha
And it was good thing!
asconsistentasamodahahahaha
Luck... just plain old luck.
CadoInPDX
Oh man, that one hurts. Laid off after 6 years on wireless side.
asconsistentasamodahahahaha
I made it to 32 years. Started on the commercial side and managed to transfer to plant. Plant was freedom!
whereigotogetdownvotes
Remember Verizon is the company who turned the firefighters cell phones off during their giant fires in California. They're despicable!
maliciousGman
Then they ran an ad campaign blitz about how much they love first responders to try to cover it up.
whereigotogetdownvotes
In no way do I mean to throw shade at the this fine gentleman Maurice German who saved the cat! It is Verizon that is bad not employees.
barnwolf
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/08/verizon-throttled-fire-departments-unlimited-data-during-calif-wildfire/
ensensu
So will those firefighters respond to Verizon's 911 calls?
kraeftig
They actually only throttled the internet, and they did it by 99.9% on an "unlimited" plan during "congestion" though "EMS is exempt"
barnwolf
They didn't turn off the cell phones. They throttled the data rates. They could still make calls as normal, and use data at reduced speed.
kaarbaak1337
The fire department that specifically signed up for the cheapest plan available and didn't say that they were being used for EMS?
Angrar
emergency services literally shouldnt have to pay
kaarbaak1337
I agree. Which is why they should have explained the usage of the phones to Verizon when ordered. But they didn't.
Bancanadiannach
Pretty easy to verify that it's emergency services by all the details you're required to give upon signing. But maybe it's different in the
Bancanadiannach
US from Canada or Britain.
SomethingOffensive
If he had fallen and hurt or killed himself, Verizon would be sued. So they have to make policies like this where someone cannot put (1)
benjibb
This also has nothing to do with helping a cat
ImNotTaylorSwift
What? The rules or the guy saving the cat?
Indyofthedead
So in a very simplified and general reduction.... money
deathloop
#hailcorporate
Vedar
But the equipment is designed to lift a guy up in the air safely. That's literally it's only purpose.
Yesisaidthat
And work on equipment while up in the air.
setschosen080
Save that poor cat. He did the right thing.
DeadForTaxReasons
Wearing the provided verizon safety gear in a verizon truck?
BluePaladin42
A company has the ability to make exceptions based on the situation. They ALWAYS do.
dashers
So glad I don't live in the US. Here you could do a quick risk assessment and carry on.
SenorMacaroni
(2) peanut butter on their testicles to lure cats and raccoons into their cherry pickers
rustybronco
They go up in man baskets daily as part of their job, what's the difference? Why split hairs? I get it's the stupid policies but really?
thecatsass204
As a professional, he knows how to properly and safely use his equipment effectively to rescue the cat. I doubt he put anyone in danger.
barnwolf
That's the thing about professional safety. It is intentionally redundant because even professionals mess up occasionally.
Swansatron
He was near the power line. Dangerous as hell if a wrong move is made or an accident happens.
OneFootInTheGravyTrain
I hope somebody was holding his beer. No, wait...
thankgodfordeaddinosaurs
The issue as stated in the article was that he was operating the equipment near power lines which violates their safety rules.
ibrakeforwookies
Which is complete bullocks
mikeatike
But the cable lines are on the same poles as the power lines.
76000BatteryLlamas
They always operate their equipment near power lines, and the power lines he is near in the photo are insulated and low voltage.
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SomethingOffensive
Themselves in a dangerous situation unless it is authorized and monitored. (2)
HoSlappa
Just say they were maintenancing the pole, its not like they dont know how to be up there.
McPopplers
majortool
For this same reason, I think they should get fighting out of hockey and stop having exhibition games.
WizardHarryDresden
Good to see someone not automatically condemning the big company "bad guys"
DefinitelyNotHavingAMeltdown
I mean.. Maybe not in this situation... But Verizon is, in general, a trash company.
ClydeTheBelovedBandit
If he does something he shouldn't, in a place he shouldn't be at, why would he be able to sue? Isn't Isnt their argument "his own fault"?
SSJacobs
If he was injured, he would still be entitled to workers' comp, which is a no-fault statute.
pandro
I agree in principle. But someone commented that if they allowed it this time, others would do it and it becomes unofficial "policy."
SomethingOffensive
I never said it wasn't his fault. I was simply guessing at why he did it.
mikeatike
But isn't using the cherry picker like his job? I see one person using thrm all the time, don't even bother putting flaggers on the street.
RampantWolf
It's his job maybe but this wasn't a job order. Job orders are risk managed that the company is willing to accept liability.
[deleted]
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bazookasoup
What kinda freak powerlines do you have in the states? Here, the powerline would have to have been damaged, to be any sort of danger.
Xenarion
Power lines on pylons like that aren't insulated. If there's a line of conductive material linking it to the ground, it's a short circuits.
princessdogface
I get it but I would assume by him misusing equip they would be free from liability?
DillPixels
Finishing a worker’s comp lawsuit. Even if the floor I fell on was marked as wet they would still be liable to pay me. So maybe not.
SomethingOffensive
Exactly. That's why they have rules against him doing what he did.
WillHamilton
Only if they actually did something about it, hence the consequences.
AntiSaneity
Company time and money still get used for an investigation.
barnwolf
Not if they regularly let employees do this sort of stuff and get away with it.
TopNotchAssEater
In NA, lawsuits dont make any sense
pandro
This is America. Nobody with money is immune from liability. People who physically GET OFF indoor rides at Disney still get to sue.
ALoveLikePi
No. Sadly, no. If you misuse company equipment they can still be held liable. And will be.
080080
yes, no one is going to sue a line worker. they will go after whoever has deeper pockets.
ALoveLikePi
Which is assanine in my eyes if the worker is going against policy. But this is America.