HR Strange But True

Horrible Party Game Costs TV Personalities Their Jobs

Ranked as one of Amazon’s top selling games, Cards Against Humanity is definitely not for the faint of heart. The game is similar to the family-friendly Apples to Apples, but you won’t find some of those G-rated phrases in this game. Instead, you’ll find “mature” (if only those playing it actually acted this way) content that’s not exactly work appropriate.

A local Ohio TV station has learned this the hard way after employees were fired for playing the game on-site during the long New Year’s weekend. According to Mashable.com, the station, WTOL- Channel 11 in Toledo, Ohio, fired three on-air personalities—an anchor, reporter, and a meteorologist—as well as four other staff members.

In regard to the terminations, the station said in a statement, “WTOL takes seriously its employment policies and our obligation to provide an environment in which all employees are treated with respect and dignity.” The station also added that it took “personnel actions,” but it wouldn’t comment on them.

For those who are unfamiliar with the game, Cards Against Humanity is a phrase-matching game that touts itself as being “a party game for horrible people.” The game consists of 90 black cards and 460 white cards—however, with numerous expansion packs, there are more than that—and each person takes turns drawing a black card and reading the phrase on it. The rest of the players must match up what they think is the most appropriate phrase—using the white cards. Whoever does so correctly wins that round. If you’ve never played, and are curious over all the hoopla this game as caused, just read the product reviews on the Amazon® site.

For those of you who have played this game, you know how much of an HR headache this would cause in the workplace. For those of you who haven’t played, I wouldn’t recommend playing it during your next company picnic. Save this one for home!

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