Hippo Eats A Dwarf

In the mid-1990s, a hoax article was printed about an Austrian circus performer with dwarfism accidentally being swallowed by a hippopotamus. The story goes that during the night’s final show, the performer was bouncing up and down on a trampoline when he tripped and went flying sideways just as a nearby hippo, named Hilda, yawned. As a result, Hilda swallowed him whole in front of an audience of thousands!

The article was eventually proved to be untrue, yet not before becoming an urban legend believed by the masses. Even though the story was false, it does speak to the lax safety measures for circuses at that time. Between inadequate equipment, careless setup crews, and poor planning, there were numerous cases of injury and death among performers.

In more recent years, nearly all circuses have worked to improve their company culture through modern safety protocols, enhanced care and treatment of their animals, and a safer environment in general.

While most companies don’t have to contend with a reputation for dwarf eating hippos, company culture should still be a top priority. Employees who are happy and feel secure in their positions are more productive. This, in turn, reflects well upon the managers and team leads, helping to build a stronger organization from the inside out.

Whether you are looking for a new role at a company you can be proud of or are ready to build your dream team in a supportive environment, CFC can help! Our goal is to place candidates in roles where they can succeed and help their new company thrive! Call us today to find out how you can avoid the circus of job searching and the hiring process.