14 California Lifeguards Fired for "Gangnam Style" Parody

Several days ago, fourteen lifeguards in El Monte, California, lost their jobs over a “Gangnam Style” parody video. The reason? Because they filmed on city property wearing the city issued uniforms without permission. According to the group, all footage was recorded while off duty and off the clock. While PSY’s viral hit “Gangnam Style” has sparked plenty of other parodies, none has been as costly as the “Lifeguard Style.” 

Robert Alaniz, a spokesperson for the city of El Monte, released a statement in regards of the termination of the fourteen employees. 

“While the City of El Monte cannot comment on the specifics of this situation because it involves personnel issues, we can say that each of the employees dismissed were either part-time and/or seasonal at-will employees, who upon their employment, were each required to acknowledge and sign an Acknowledgement that states that they would ‘under no circumstances use any city property for his/her own private use or benefit. Such unauthorized use shall be cause for disciplinary action.”There was a clear unauthorized use of city resources and property, including the use of city issued uniforms during the making of this unauthorized video. The City maintains that it holds all employees to a higher standard”

The former lifeguards have filed a petition to the city to get their jobs back. They’ve also launched a Facebook page titled “Bring Back the 14 El Monte Lifeguards” and achieved over 12,000 followers. Meanwhile, “Lifeguard Style” has gotten over 1.2 million views on Youtube. Check out the video below! 

What do Soompiers think? Do  you think that the El Monte lifeguards were rightfully terminated?