Lawsuit: 'My company waterboarded me!'
Chad Hudgens sued his former employer, claiming that what was billed as a team-building exercise ended up using a motivational tool previously reserved for enemy combatants. What do you think?
From Michael, Cleveland, Ohio I saw some "team leaders" where my wife works go the hospital with cracked heads after a team building exercise where you fall backwards and your lowest team member catches you. They teamed the leads with the employees who didn't like the team leads. Good combination! The employees afterwards remarked "I can barely stand working with them. What gave the team leads the idea we would catch them and stop them from hitting the concrete floor with the back of their heads?" At least they didn't try waterboarding.
From Engi-nerd, Iowa Better question. Who is the guy that commented against CNN almost immediately after this was posted? My guess is that most of you are news junkies that stumbled across this story while waiting for the latest updates on campaign stories.
From Judy Sanders There are a lot of sick people out there who, unfortunately, are given
positions of power. Sick people don't recognize their own malady, but the
rest of us are appalled!
From Jared Boston, MA This is hazing not torture.
From vc, Chicago, IL Team building is about building communication, trust and tolerance. This is in no way a team building exercise. Its a bullying technique. Think of it this way, if the person was a female, how would those of you who thought it was "okay" feel about it? What if it was your daughter? Just because it's in the name of executive coaching, that doesn't change anything. Inappropriate behavior is inappropriate. Period. In this case, it's battery or assault.
From Buck Batard Enola PA Waterboarding is torture.
From Michael, Newport RI Are they on drugs? How does holding your teammate down to ensure he experiences the full measure of drowning sensation make him want to trust you? Military pilots get waterboarded at SERE (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) training to prepare for being abused by the enemy if captured, not for building esprit de corps. The company will get what it deserves. Unfortunately, the moron trainers will probably escape unpunished.
From Phil, Fairfield, NJ More people should sue their employers for physical and emotional harassment, etc. and then maybe the coercive participation in these types of hair-brained exercises will stop. It sure worked for after-hours employer sponsored parties. Then perhaps companies can get back to creating incentives the old fashioned way-meaningful compensation based upon pre-established goals. People tend to work together when they share a common interest.
From Stephen Rys Oh, my, all you whiners come forth!
Team building = exercises promulgated by parasites to avoid the real issues – namely, Prospect's product SUCKS, etc.
The whiner: why, oh WHY, I ask, did he allow this to happen to him? No excuse for it happening, but really….no ability to just say NO?
Or…most likely…rapid fire planning for the lawsuit to come….
What a bunch of wussies you all are….
From Shawn Dunning, Berkeley, CA It's unfortunate that this incident is being considered "team building" at all. Obviously this "event" did not involve professional facilitators. For genuine team building, check out:
From tim San Diego, Ca Sounds like the guy was a dropout and now want's the poor man's Lottery
From David, Versailles New York This sounds like a stretch of the actual happenings. My question is why did he wait so long to file his lawsuite and what was behind his termination from the company? Was it possibly something he did while there?
From Justin, Portland Maine What a load! It's not like the person had to participate. Seriously, it was a stupid team building exercise but the gentlemen could have said no. I would say both the company for doing it and the person for participating have some deep issues
From Paul South Florida Unfortunately people sometimes think that pranks are harmless play.Until someone is seriously hurt or dies.
http://www.sellmyinventory.com
From David Carter, Greenville,NC I once took part in an excercise that involved stuffing marshmellows in the month of a participant. All with good intentions lead by an usually excellent trainor. The person almost choked to death. Excercises have to be SAFE and respect the participant's dignity and selfworth.
From Carol, Detroit, MI I can think of a few people I've worked with over the years that I'd like to waterboard. But really, isn't this just another in the ridiculous parade of "teambuilding" exercises that have really gotten out of hand over the years?
From Steve, Boston, MA I think the real question is whether or not CNN can be regarded as a legitimate news organization. Based on this article, I'd say not.
From Anthony , FL If all is true this guy has a strong legal case.
The Prosper management team are either idiots or criminals.
Who is the team leader, Michel Scott?
What kind of company allows its employees to assault other employees and then brag about it?
Prosper, apparently.
That’s one heck of an incentive program, an incentive to get the heck out of there.
From Gene Vaughn, Warner Robins, GA This is a prime example of why American Corporations can no longer compete in the Global market. The people involved with this exercise would all be fired if I were the CEO.
Incompetent and mediocre job performance is not going to change with Team Building and Motivational companies being used today. Hire the right people and hold Managers accountable for Quality, Delivery and Profits.
If you want to reduce costs and improve the bottom line, find out about TQ/AMMS…IT REALLY WORKS!
From TPC Hartford,ct Sounds like typical managerial spin there in the final comments. Brought the other team members together? what a joke.
From Anonymous The person who organized that exercise should apply as an interrogator for our CIA
From Rodger Nelson, West Linn, OR I recently watched news video of similar idiocy by Wal Mart management. When are these companies going to learn. So called "motivational speakers" are nothing more than fast talking snake oil salesmen. I've been to one "seminar" and found it degrading and totally useless as a team building exercise. It did unite employees in one respect…complaints about what a sad and ridiculous waste of time and resources it was. If any manager of mine ever brings up hiring one of these "consultants" I swear to God I will fire him or her on the spot. If you really want loyal and hard working employees the formula never changes. Be honest. Reward performance.
From T. A. Hendrickson, Greensburg, PA Unbelievable.
Or at least it should be.
No one should have to be subjected to degrading experiences in the name of "Team Building".
A team should be based on mutual trust and respect.
From the description of this case, a criminal investigation should be launched. If the activity occurred as described, criminal charges should be filed against all parties involved.
From Philadephia, PA Sounds like something very serious was wrong here. Good leadership was not in place. Now you have a lawsuit!!!
From Gustav Haffner Sydney Australia Now that might be a great way to get the economy back on track.
Waterboard all employees to make them
work harder.
What kind of a question is this?
I am laughing so much it hurts..
From Keith, Raleigh, NC At first, when I read this, I laughed because I couldn't understand why anyone would let this be done to them. Mr. Hudgens is an idiot. And then I felt bad at laughing because it sounds to me like, if it did indeed happen, it must have been a traumatic experience. No matter who foolish you are, you don't deserve that kind of treatment at work or anywhere. My advice, Mr. Hudgens? Sue them hard, and only settle if there's a lot of $$.
Furthermore, any company that allows their employees to act in this way deserves to be punished…oh, and fire the rest of the people who participated in that outing while you're at it. They are just a bunch of future legal liabilities waiting to happen.
From Brenda I'm a little surprised that this doesn't really appear to be taken seriously. If this really did happen, it is nothing to be joking about.
Also, waterboarding by the military doesn't involve water entering the enemy combatants nose and mouth. It is SIMULATED. So, this actually sounds worse.
Shameful behavior. Sounds like some jerks had too much to drink at a company function and thought some hazing would be funny.
From Frank Westervelt An ASSAULT and/or BATTERY of any kind is a very serious matter that is very unlikely to Build or Strengthen Individual or Team Morale. The article did not state whether this procedure was applied to ALL participants in the group or just to this individual, nor whether permission to do this was sought or granted: by the Company, by the individual, or by the team-building group. IMO, this was NOT a Reasonable or Sensible Thing to have done and the Prosper Company is NOT likely to prosper as a result.
From Joe – Cincinnati, OH It's not possible for the reader to know if the complaint is legitimate based on the info in the article. Of course, if the incident happened as Hudgen's claims it did (they forcibly held him down and poured water in his nose) then he has a very legitimate complaint. Regardless, that sort of team building exercise seems like a bad idea in a corporate environment. I've been through some off site team building in my day, and it revolved around problem solving, role playing, and some non-invasive trust exercises. Lesson to Prosper: save the Rambo tactics for the Marines and Navy SEALs, and let your office guys do the rope bridge..
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There are much better ways to increase productivity and morale!
http://www.innerworkcompany.com