“Reinstate fired Concierge, Ralph Body, immediately. He was fired for staying on the building premises after his normal working hours and attending building functions. Going above and beyond your work duties shouldn’t be punished—it should be praised. We are standing with Ralph and calling on Heatherwood to do the right thing.”

Since opening two years ago, Ralph Body has worked as a concierge/doorman for 27 on 27th. He has always taken pride in his job and has been a loyal, reliable, and hardworking employee. On Sunday evening, merely hours before his Monday morning shift, Ralph was informed that he was being terminated by the 27 on 27th Management office effective immediately. He was told that Management wants to “change the culture of the building” and that he is “too nice and friendly with tenants.”

Most tenants, especially those who have lived in the building since it opened, can attest to Ralph’s kindness and eagerness to make people feel safe and welcome. His polite nature and can-do attitude added to the perception that 27 on 27th is a community of people who are friendly, helpful, trust-worthy, and family-like. In a transient city where most people are from other states and countries, 27th on 27th was a unique building that truly felt like “home” from the moment you stepped through the front doors.

Often times, tenants advocate the building to perspective tenants during building tours. We speak to all of the many ways it is a special place to live…a place unlike most City luxury buildings. Not anymore. The ruthlessness of Ralph’s termination is disgusting, unjust, and disheartening. From day one, Ralph has gone above and beyond his duties. Yes, rules and regulations must be followed, but Heatherwood is more than capable of providing coaching and counseling to ensure the best possible outcome for its tenants and staff. Ralph should have been given the opportunity to make the necessary changes.On a human level, the manner in which Ralph was terminated isn’t right. Heatherwood has shown that they have no respect for their staff – the staff we’ve come to know and love. This egregious act completely dispels the feeling of “family” the building used to possess. What about rewarding the people that made your success possible? Where is YOUR sense of loyalty and respect? Ralph deserves better. We stand with Ralph.