Seattle responds to bus drivers wearing diapers by hiring bathroom czar and other weird business news
Here are this week's weirdest business stories:
Seattle has a bathroom problem
In November, Washington state’s Department of Labor and Industries fined King County Metro, which runs bus service through downtown Seattle, $3500. The fine was for a failure to provide bus drivers with access to bathrooms. The report revealed that some drivers had to resort to wearing diapers while driving to avoid from soiling themselves. Labor Department spokesperson Tim Church said that, “Some told us there were - I'm looking for the right word here - urine-soaked driver's seats because they felt they had no other alternative.”
King County Metro responded by creating a new management position—a bathroom czar or “comfort station coordinator.” The position pays up to $97,000 a year and includes responsibilities like maintaining databases with all public restrooms available to drivers.
Hopefully Seattle’s bus drivers will be able to find some relief soon.
Tang, but for alcohol
Introducing Palcohol, a new, 21st century way to get a buzz. Mark Phillips created powdered alcohol because, “When I hike, kayak, backpack or whatever, I like to have a drink when I reach my destination. And carrying liquid alcohol and mixers to make a margarita for instance was totally impractical."
The powdered alcohol gained approval for sale this week by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and will be in stores this summer.
The powder can be mixed with water to make drinks, with one packet equaling one shot. Palcohol will come in five flavors: vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, powderita and lemon drop.
There is concern from local lawmakers that the powder will be abused or too quickly ingested. New York Senator Chuck Schumer has already introduced legislation to make production, sale and possession of powdered alcohol illegal.
Eggs with a side of Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon has decided to come to terms with his last name. He has partnered with the American Egg Board in a campaign to encourage Americans to consume more eggs.
An online video starring the “Footloose” actor shows Bacon flirting with a woman making breakfast and encouraging her to cook more eggs. A print campaign shows Bacon wearing a shirt with his own face on it alongside the copy, “Wake up to the strength to endure a lifetime of bacon jokes.”
"With a last name like Bacon, I'm the obvious choice, and I'm excited to be a part of the new Incredible Edible Egg campaign," said Bacon in an official statement.
It’s a good time for eggs; their per-capita consumption in the United States has increased by more than a dozen over the last five years.
More from Yahoo Finance
NFL looks stronger than ever despite 2014 controversy
Shake Shack shakedown; Lumber Liquidators repairs rep; Krispy Kreme gets dunked
