Dec 8, 2007 12:11 pm US/Eastern
NYC Doorman Suspended For Having Bad Breath
Company Tells Employee They Can 'No Longer Tolerate' His 'Severe Breath Odor'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Opening the door to the Gracie Garden Apartments, a four-story building on E. 89th Street, and greeting tenants is what 60-year-old Jonah Seeman lives for.
"I just say, 'Good morning, have a nice day, smile, feel good, don't worry about anything,'" Seeman told CBS 2 HD.
But despite being very popular among the building's residents, Seeman was suspended from his job as doorman for one day, without pay, for having bad breath.
"It's embarrassing," Seeman told CBS 2 HD. "It hurt my feelings."
According to a letter from management, Seeman was sent home two other times for the same smelly reasons, but he denies that's why he went home. Then on Nov. 21, Seeman received a letter from Cooper Square Realty that read: "We can no longer tolerate the fact that you frequently have severe breath odor while on duty, that is bad breath."
"I was absolutely mystified," he said. "What are you putting me through? It's the holiday season."
Seemen, a Brooklyn resident who supports his 81-year-old mother, says he is now avoiding food with onions and garlic, and he brushes his teeth and gargles with mouthwash everyday.
"I use mints at work, I have mouthwash, I wear cologne, I have deodorant," he says.
Some residents at the building say they have noticed Seeman's breath, but others say they haven't. They all agree he is a nice man and a great doorman.
"He's a sweetheart. He's a wonderful, wonderful man," said resident Stephen Sholinsky. "He'd do anything for you and you can count on him for anything."
Meanwhile, Seeman has filed a complaint with his union and is looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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