Michael Reeg works for Accuride International Inc.’s southeastern sales center, which happens to be an office inside his comfortable home. Instead of your average human coworker to keep him company throughout the day, he has his two dogs, Meeka and Kya. Kya is Reeg’s wife’s dog, so she really only checks in every so often or when his wife leaves the house. However, Meeka has a knack for helping out her dad’s position of District Sales Mananger even if she has little knowledge of the industry.
Reeg has noticed that transitioning to a home office has a bit of a different feel since there aren’t as many people around. He’s been pleased to find that pets really do make great companions, especially for those working from home. Meeka has proven to be exceptional when it comes to the work-at-home lifestyle. “There are times that I’ll even talk to her as I work through a problem or map out a customer solution,” Reeg tells The Dodo. “I try out my sales pitches and presentations on her. She’s not easily impressed or swayed. All she hears is ‘blah, blah, blah, Meeka’ — but she likes to hear my voice and I love that she pays attention. Having her in my office all day is something that we both look forward to.”
Reeg reports that Meeka is such a dedicated employee she shows up to the office even when he’s out traveling for work. If the door is shut while he’s away, she’ll stay by it just in case Reeg is really in there working. What better way to reward this behavior than to offer Meeka not just Employee of the Month, but Employee of the Quarter. Reeg even made it official.
This originally started in early 2016, but Meeka has been awarded the title ever since. Even the company’s corporate office has recognized Meeka’s outstanding work. “He sends an update after every quarter. Meeka is an outstanding support to Michael and his work,” a spokesperson for Accuride International tells The Dodo, adding: “Dogs are the best.”
The post started going viral after his daughter, Kennedy, shared the following image on Twitter:
leave it to my dad to make our dog “Employee of the Quarter” now that he works from home 😂
& he says he doesn’t pick favorites… pic.twitter.com/G5nOuSSK2m
— Kennedy Reeg (@kennedy_reeg) February 24, 2017
With the closing of the first quarter of 2017 coming soon, Reeg knows a new award is ready to be handed out. But her past results don’t mean Meeka immediately gets the title. “I haven’t decided yet if the prestige is going to her head, or if Kya feels disgruntled,” says Reeg. “Maybe a change is needed for one quarter, so that Meeka doesn’t feel entitled. I want her to stay sharp.”
