He Lost His Job For What?

Very few of us sit around thinking about ways we can lose our job, primarily because we know them. Preferably not from personal experience. Not doing the work, dishonesty, theft, unacceptable workplace behavior. All well known, all scrupulously avoided.

It's especially important in the insurance industry to be on the up and up. We have to fight the clichés about insurance, and the people who work therein, every day by our example. How we treat our customers matters. It's as simple as that. And so, we keep it clean by avoiding that which might jeopardize our employment.

As noted above, everyone knows the reasons people get walked out the door. However, there are other reasons one might not suspect could lead to instant unemployment.

Did you know applauding can get you canned?

It's true, and it happened but a few days ago. It's no secret yours truly is a huge NASCAR fan. The 2011 season started Sunday before last as it does every season with the biggest race of the year, namely the Daytona 500. It was a thrilling race, won by an unlikely combination: the oldest race team owners in the sport, the Wood Brothers, and the youngest driver in the sport, twenty-year old Trevor Bayne. Who, for some reason, has become rather the instant fan favorite:

Anyway, at the end of the race, a reporter covering the event for Sports Illustrated was so excited by what had just happened he applauded for a few seconds.

Unfortunately for the reporter, he was in the media center at the time.

A few days later, Sports Illustrated fired him for violating the unwritten law about no cheering in the media center or press box. Ever.

Okay... but doesn't firing someone over it seem like a bit of an overreaction?