A man in New Zealand was called into a work meeting and feared the worst. So he hired an emotional support clown to join him.

For Joshua Jack, the suspicion he might lose his job was right.

Speaking to Newshub NZ on a video call, Jack confirmed his employer, advertising agency FCB, let him go this week. But having Joe the clown along for the ride definitely "lightened the mood," he said.

The worker said he left the meeting with no job, but with two balloon animals: a unicorn and a poodle. Credit:Reuters

When his supervisors scheduled the meeting, he said he "thought it's either a promotion or worse".