Royals Fountain Girl in the News Again

**gblowfish** · 11-05-2013, 04:26 PM

Fountain Lady' who was fired for Kauffman Stadium frolic is granted jobless pay

November 5
The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa has approved unemployment benefits for a Des Moines woman who was fired after her frolic in a stadium fountain at a Kansas City Royals baseball game.

Jessica McCoy, 25, was granted the benefits after a hearing last month, the Des Moines Register reported. She'd become an Internet sensation after her Aug. 5 antics were recorded at Kauffman Stadium. The YouTube video has been seen more than 147,000 times, and she's been dubbed "Fountain Lady" and "Fountain Mom."

She subsequently was fired by First American Bank in Beaverdale, a Des Moines suburb. Her manager said she violated company policy barring off-duty conduct that reflects poorly on the bank. She later filed for unemployment benefits.

Iowa administrative law judge Bonny Hendricksmeyer ruled in McCoy's favor. She said McCoy's "off-duty, on-vacation-in-another-state conduct, while certainly questionable on many levels, does not rise to the level of substantial, job-related misconduct sufficient to warrant a denial of unemployment benefits."

At the Oct. 22 hearing, McCoy said the incident was blown out of proportion and that she was under the influence of alcohol.

She has pleaded not guilty to charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and soliciting a police officer.

"I did not realize the gravity of the situation," McCoy said to a question about why she was in the fountain. "I did not realize I was going to get into that much trouble for it. And I just honestly can't answer that. . It just at the time seemed like a fun idea. I did not realize I would get into that much trouble. I did not hurt anyone or myself."

McCoy was in shorts and a Royals T-shirt when she climbed into the fountain in the lower level of the grandstand. Spectators cheered as she waded through the water while holding a drink. Security officials eventually took her into custody.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/05...#storylink=cpy

**alpha_omega** · 11-05-2013, 04:30 PM

Guess she hasn't been looking...or cant find a job since the middle of August.

Quote:

"I did not realize the gravity of the situation," McCoy said to a question about why she was in the fountain. "I did not realize I was going to get into that much trouble for it. And I just honestly can't answer that. . It just at the time seemed like a fun idea. I did not realize I would get into that much trouble.

I can see why the bank didn't want her anymore.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha_omega

I can see why the bank didn't want her anymore.

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

CaliforniaChief · 11-05-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

You damned leftist Californian.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

You damned leftist Californian.

About 15 years ago, Paramount paid for a retreat in Palm Springs, in which everyone in our division was invited. Free lodging at La Quinta for two days, all meals provided.

We had a huge pool party the first night and one of the younger guys got drunker than shit! It was ****ing hilarious. He was kind of a grunt (junior accountant) but was a hard worker.

Anyway, not only was he NOT fired, everyone laughed at him the next morning because he was so hungover and teased him all day.

As a matter of fact, we teased him for years after the event.

No biggie.

Deberg_1990 · 11-05-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

About 15 years ago, Paramount paid for a retreat in Palm Springs, in which everyone in our division was invited. Free lodging at La Quinta for two days, all meals provided.

We had a huge pool party the first night and one of the younger guys got drunker than shit! It was ****ing hilarious. He was kind of a grunt (junior accountant) but was a hard worker.

Anyway, not only was he NOT fired, everyone laughed at him the next morning because he was so hungover and teased him all day.

As a matter of fact, we teased him for years after the event.

No biggie.

Yes, but did he end up on YouTube with 150,000 views?

**alpha_omega** · 11-05-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

Right...i wasn't saying that they were in the right (maybe or maybe not)...but i can definitely see why they wouldn't want her representing them anymore.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha_omega

Right...i wasn't saying that they were in the right (maybe or maybe not)...but i can definitely see why they wouldn't want her representing them anymore.

Why? Do you think anyone outside of her fellow employees would recognize her?

Oxford · 11-06-2013, 10:19 AM

The Royals should hire her to replace Slugger

kstater · 11-05-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

At-will state

Jakemall · 11-05-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

At-will state

Glad you said it...was about to post it. This isn't the first time something like this has happened out here.

**alnorth** · 11-05-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

In almost every state east of the rockies, an employer can fire an employee for almost any reason at all, including "you know what, I just don't like you anymore. Get out".

Only exceptions are usually for blatant racial/gender/etc discrimination, or if the company has a published policy promising that you won't be fired unless x y or z happens.

All that said, the judge made the right decision in this case. When it comes to unemployment benefits, the bar is a lot higher, the company usually needs to show just cause.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

In almost every state east of the rockies, an employer can fire an employee for almost any reason at all, including "you know what, I just don't like you anymore. Get out".

That's pretty sad. I'm glad that the internet, Youtube, texts, etc. didn't exist when I was young because would have likely been unemployable in that region.

**LoneWolf** · 11-05-2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unless she signed an employment contract, she should sue them for wrongful termination.

Is Iowa an at will state?

Edit: Sorry, didn't realize this had already been covered when I posted. Carry on.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Is Iowa a right to work state?

No idea

11-05-2013, 04:26 PM	Topic Starter
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	Fountain Girl in the News Again Fountain Lady' who was fired for Kauffman Stadium frolic is granted jobless pay November 5 The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa has approved unemployment benefits for a Des Moines woman who was fired after her frolic in a stadium fountain at a Kansas City Royals baseball game. Jessica McCoy, 25, was granted the benefits after a hearing last month, the Des Moines Register reported. She'd become an Internet sensation after her Aug. 5 antics were recorded at Kauffman Stadium. The YouTube video has been seen more than 147,000 times, and she's been dubbed "Fountain Lady" and "Fountain Mom." She subsequently was fired by First American Bank in Beaverdale, a Des Moines suburb. Her manager said she violated company policy barring off-duty conduct that reflects poorly on the bank. She later filed for unemployment benefits. Iowa administrative law judge Bonny Hendricksmeyer ruled in McCoy's favor. She said McCoy's "off-duty, on-vacation-in-another-state conduct, while certainly questionable on many levels, does not rise to the level of substantial, job-related misconduct sufficient to warrant a denial of unemployment benefits." At the Oct. 22 hearing, McCoy said the incident was blown out of proportion and that she was under the influence of alcohol. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and soliciting a police officer. "I did not realize the gravity of the situation," McCoy said to a question about why she was in the fountain. "I did not realize I was going to get into that much trouble for it. And I just honestly can't answer that. . It just at the time seemed like a fun idea. I did not realize I would get into that much trouble. I did not hurt anyone or myself." McCoy was in shorts and a Royals T-shirt when she climbed into the fountain in the lower level of the grandstand. Spectators cheered as she waded through the water while holding a drink. Security officials eventually took her into custody. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/05...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 40,830

11-06-2013, 10:19 AM	#9
Oxford Regular Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Springfield,MO Casino cash: $9625535	The Royals should hire her to replace Slugger __________________ I summon the IRON , Cookin up a whoopin for YOU YOU YOU!
Posts: 1,416