What a bosshole.
Just when you thought working from home kept you safe from visits with the chief, toy giant Mattel has reportedly posted a controversial advertisement for a remote gig in which the boss can make “periodic unplanned visits” to their employees’ domiciles. A screenshot of the privacy-violating policy is currently blowing up on Twitter.
“Actual listing from Mattel for a remote position about a month ago,” reads the caption to the tweet, which was posted Tuesday by a user who goes by Erin M. with the handle @HarlemCrab. They were responding to a Twitter query from a concerned netizen who’d been informed by numerous people that their company contract gives their manager the right to “inspect their home workspace with 24 hours notice.”
Indeed, the listing for Mattel’s American Girl brand apparently stipulates that “there may be periodic unplanned visits from a supervisor during scheduled work shifts.” So it might be wise to think twice about taking an extended shower, typing in one’s underwear or blaring loud music.
To qualify for the position, it states that prospective employees must have a “closed-door work area with no distractions or background noise (ie: pets, children, machinery, music or talking),” per the posting.
Employees also have to provide their own high-speed internet. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesIf that wasn’t stringent enough, the contract dictates that applicants possess minor office supplies such as pens and calendars and “dedicated high-speed internet,” whose expense is to be covered by the employee alone. They’re also required to be free “from all other responsibilities” such as — no joke — taking care of “children, elderly, pets, etc.”
And while the screenshot didn’t include the exact position, a google search of Mattel’s current job openings yielded the same requirements for the role of a “Seasonal Customer Service Home Agent” based in Wisconsin or Illinois, the Independent reported.
In a statement to The Post, a Mattel spokesperson stated that the posted job description “no longer” requires at-home visits.
“American Girl prides itself on providing a supportive environment for employees and ensuring information security for our customers. Our Seasonal Customer Service Home Agent positions process customer orders, requiring those individuals have access to a private workspace to protect and maintain customer confidentiality,” the statement read. “While security is a critical piece of this role, the job description no longer includes language about unplanned visits, which were never put into practice.”
However, the Twitter peanut gallery was still appalled at the prospect of surprise visits from the big cheese.
“Visits from the boss…at my house? Um, no,” wrote on aghast user.
Another vented: “My actual work office would not fit these requirements, due to…other people working there and the sounds of working in a city which often infiltrate my office.”
“Never ever EVER work for Mattel,” said one disillusioned commenter. “This is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s a reason they’re always hiring.”







