Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501200093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
Three MW workers were suspended without pay for three days and placed on probation for a year for their involvement in the matter, said Mike Harman, MW's president.
MW is continuing its own investigation, and the suspension handed out to the three workers - scheduled to end after the Wednesday work day - has been extended through today, Harman said.
Harman said the three employees, who have not been identified, fastened the dog collar around the leg of their co-worker, who was told it was part of a "lie detector test."
The collar was then activated to shock the worker when he didn't give correct answers, Harman said.
"I think it was their idea of a practical joke," he said of last Friday's incident. "But I hesitate to call it that, because there's no place for that kind of thing here."
The father of the affected employee, who filed a complaint with the police department Thursday morning, said his son was talked into the situation. He said he will await the findings of a police investigation, but believes the employees should be fired.
The father said his son's brain was damaged following a bout with pneumonia when he was a baby.
The affected employee has worked for MW for more than 10 years.
Rocky Mount Police Chief Butch Jenkins said his department's investigation is ongoing.
Harman confirmed Thursday that a petition signed by more than 200 of MW's 1,200 workers calls for the termination of two of the three employees involved and a plant supervisor.
Harman, who spent all day Thursday meeting with people about the incident, said MW's investigation will continue.
"I feel an obligation to be fair to both sides on this issue," he said.
by CNB