SeaWorld Employees Posed as Activists and Infiltrated Animal Rights Groups
Source: Esquire
SeaWorld Employees Posed as Activists and Infiltrated Animal Rights Groups
Another day, another SeaWorld scandal.
By Michael Sebastian
Feb 25, 2016
SeaWorld admitted on Thursday that its employees have posed as animal rights workers to infiltrate certain groups. Joel Manby, the company's CEO, said he has "directed management to end the practice in which certain employees pose as animal rights activists," according to USA Today. The remark came during a call with investors to report SeaWorld's most recent quarterly earnings.
"All personnel matters pertaining to those involved have been handled internally," Manby said. "We recognize the need to ensure that all of our security and other activities align with our core values and ethical standards. As always the security and well-being of our employees, customers and animals remains at the forefront of our business practices."
The revelation comes less than a year after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said a SeaWorld San Diego employee named Paul McComb posed as an animal rights activist to join the organization. McComb, who, according to the New York Post, went by the name Thomas Jones, is a human-resources employee(!) at SeaWorld San Diego. McComb was transferred to another department, Manby told investors, after being put on administrative leave.
PETA had this to say in a statement:
"SeaWorld's latest report confirms not only that the company has employed more than one spy to infiltrate and agitate at PETA but also that it values its spies more highly than the executives who have had their heads chopped off in droves, as at least one of the spies is still working at the company."
Read more: http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a42458/seaworld-animal-rights-groups/
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If my employer required me to do something like what Sea World did, I would make darn sure it was in no way illegal. Then I'd get a rock solid contract in place (for taking that kind of risk on their behalf) that guaranteed me a position reassignment, legal fees and a big compensation package, in case I was discovered doing that job. Even then, all the sliminess involved and the potential for blowback probably wouldn't be worth it. 