Some people really like their jobs. They get up each day looking forward to mingling with co-workers, tapping the free water from the kitchen cooler, and really making a difference. And then there are those who take their love for their work a little too far.

Nobody thought twice when Kiar Olson started dressing as a mad hamster scientist and spent lunch hours running on a handmade, human hamster wheel, but the day he showed up in costume, several considered that perhaps he had fallen off the deep end.

“Marketing is all about emerging yourself into various roles and understanding your audience. I really feel like the work I do for my customer is superior because of my decision to dress and act like a hamster,” commented Olson.

Olson was first spotted sporting the rodent rug on June 22 at the company production meeting. Because of Olson’s comical nature, co-workers believed it was just another practical joke. But there was nothing funny about it when he showed up in the costume every day after that unfortunate Monday.

Some believe this outcry for attention started even before the 2006 incident when Olson was caught trespassing in a local farmer’s field donning a full donkey costume, complete with a 24” tail. He refused to comment.

Olson has been struggling with keeping his past private and not having it interfere with his day-to-day duties at Element. It was apparent during a recent new business meeting, however, that clients, too, are becoming suspicious of Olson’s odd behavior.

“When he wore that outfit to our new business meeting last week, I was petrified. What’s worse? The prospective marketing director broke out in hives during our meeting and needed to be rushed to the hospital after her lips and throat swelled up. Turns out she’s allergic to synthetic fiber. I’m pretty sure we didn’t get the account.” Account Executive Nikki Pribnow said.

This unfolding identity crisis has sadly taken a turn for the worse.

“I forgot my laptop one night so I went back to the office. I found Kiar rolling in a pile of wood shavings and nibbling a Munchables Hamster treat. He just blissfully stared off into space,” co-worker Katelin Brown said as she sadly shook her head. “It’s just too bad it all came down to this. I mean, no job is worth a man’s dignity.”

Element is currently considering mental treatment options and facilities.

Tags: Element, Element News and Events, Getting to Know Element's Employees