Nova Poshta reverses layoffs: Employees who drove a dog out into the heat will remain with the company

In August 2026, one of Ukraine's largest logistics companies, Nova Poshta, reviewed its initial personnel decision regarding a high-profile incident in Sloviansk. The company's General Director, Yevhen Tafiychuk, officially confirmed that the branch employees who drove a dog out onto the street during extreme heat would not be fired. The company acknowledged that initial decisions were made emotionally, but after a detailed review of the situation and an assessment of the staff's behavior, it was concluded that their jobs would be retained.

Timeline of the personnel decision review

The incident that sparked public outcry occurred in the frontline city of Sloviansk. A video spread online showing Nova Poshta branch employees driving a dog out with a mop onto scorching asphalt. At that moment, the air temperature had reached critical levels. Initially, the company took a hard line, stating that it does not tolerate cruelty to animals and announced the dismissal of those responsible.

However, according to Yevhen Tafiychuk, after the incident was analyzed in detail, it turned out that the employees, realizing the consequences of their actions, were among the first to join the search for the animal. This fact became decisive for reviewing the punishment. The company's management believed that their subsequent actions demonstrated remorse and a desire to rectify the situation, which allowed them to remain on staff.

Condition of the animal and veterinary care

The dog involved in the scandal was successfully evacuated from Sloviansk and taken to a veterinary clinic in Kyiv. According to experts, the animal had been on the street for about a month before it was found. The dog is approximately eight years old, and no chip was found. During the examination, doctors diagnosed exhaustion, as well as a number of chronic and age-related diseases requiring long-term treatment. The animal was revaccinated, dewormed, and treated for parasites.

Currently, the dog is in foster care with a Nova Poshta employee in Kyiv, where it is receiving necessary care and treatment. The company plans to attempt to find the animal's previous owners. If the owner is not found within the specified time, a new family will be organized for the dog.

Contradictory data

There are various interpretations of the company's actions in the public sphere. On the one hand, Nova Poshta management emphasizes that the decision to retain employees was made after a thorough analysis of their behavior and remorse. On the other hand, the public and some experts believe that dismissal would have been a more adequate response to animal cruelty, especially considering that the incident occurred in hot conditions, which could have led to the dog's death. The company, in turn, points out that in such situations, it is necessary to take into account not only the welfare of the animal but also the safety of customers, among whom there may be people with allergies or phobias, as well as children.

Changes in corporate rules

The incident showed that Nova Poshta lacked clear instructions for employees in cases where an animal ends up in a branch. In response, the company began developing new regulations that will take into account the interests of all parties: animals, customers, and staff. It is expected that the new rules will include procedures for the temporary housing of animals, interaction with shelters, and actions in emergency situations.