‘Now Hiring Non-Stupid People’: Texas Pet Store Owner Posts Controversial Sign After Employee Lasts 3 Days

Walter Parsons is trying to “weed out” the people who aren’t up to snuff.

By Amanda Breen | edited by Jessica Thomas | Nov 03, 2022
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Most employers want smart employees with strong work ethics.

But one Texas pet store owner took that desire to the next level, Houston television station reported, posting a sign requesting “non-stupid” applicants.

Walter Parsons, the owner of Pets Gone Wild Resort in Pasadena, Texas, said he put up the sign after being less-than-impressed with former employees, claiming one wouldn’t get off their cell phone despite his warnings.

“We’re trying to weed out the people that do come in,” Parsons says. “We hired one last week that lasted three days.”

Of course, Parsons isn’t the only employer navigating today’s retention issues. Last year, predicted that companies would see a year-over-year turnover rate 50-75% higher than the norm.

Still, not everyone was happy with Parsons’ attention-grabbing announcement.

“The fact that they felt so emboldened to put something up there like that, it’s disgusting, it’s distasteful and it’s unprofessional,” one Pasadena resident told the outlet.

Most employers want smart employees with strong work ethics.

But one Texas pet store owner took that desire to the next level, Houston television station reported, posting a sign requesting “non-stupid” applicants.

Walter Parsons, the owner of Pets Gone Wild Resort in Pasadena, Texas, said he put up the sign after being less-than-impressed with former employees, claiming one wouldn’t get off their cell phone despite his warnings.

“We’re trying to weed out the people that do come in,” Parsons says. “We hired one last week that lasted three days.”

Of course, Parsons isn’t the only employer navigating today’s retention issues. Last year, predicted that companies would see a year-over-year turnover rate 50-75% higher than the norm.

Still, not everyone was happy with Parsons’ attention-grabbing announcement.

“The fact that they felt so emboldened to put something up there like that, it’s disgusting, it’s distasteful and it’s unprofessional,” one Pasadena resident told the outlet.

Amanda Breen • Senior Features Writer

Âé¶¹Éç Staff
Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Âé¶¹Éç.com. She is a graduate of Barnard... Read more
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