How are things? I have a quick question and need your advice... I sent a resume out using my dad's address because he lives closer to the town and if it came down to it, I would stay there during the week. Well.... I was called back to interview and was wondering how I should handle this.
I don't see why they would ask you about your address but you can simply tell them truth...that the address is your dad's address and don't elaborate. Your address should not be the focus of an interview. A good interviewer would know that that type of questioning can appear discriminatory. That is, by asking questions regarding the geographic area in which you live, the interviewer may create disparate impact by not hiring minorities or other groups because they live in a certain area. The proper question would be ""do you have transportation to get to work?" Your living situation is none of their business.
Why not turn the tables on your interviewers and ask them a few questions. Questions like:
•How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
•Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
•What is the company's management style?
•How much travel is expected?
•What is the typical work week? Is overtime expected?
•What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
•How does one advance in the company?
•Are there any examples of a recent success story?
•What do you like about working here?
•If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?
•Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Odd Jobs for Odd Times
Recently, I have been perusing job posting boards to see what type of activity is going on during these difficult times. Great news! There's a myriad of jobs across our nation...if you are willing to do some interesting things like...mow lawns for $10. per hour in a bikini!
Below are a few of the job postings that I found on the web this week.
Columbia, SC - Looking for part time and full time female bikini clad lawn care service professionals. Your chance to earn a high pay and get a tan. We work in pairs. Pay starts at $10/hour plus tips. - http://columbia.craigslist.org/
Lemon Grove, CA - Seeking Insect Trapper - Lemon Grove area. Valid CDL w/clean DMV. Must speak and read English. $12.00/hr. Will train... - http://www.indeed.com/
Abilene, TX - Dog Sitter - Three lab mixes- Need feeding twice a day- Can stay outside during day if weather is good.- Inside at night- Also, feed and water toads, and water non-venomous snakes- Feed and give water and mice- Pick up mail- Water plants- Dates at this time may change slightly - $15 - $25 per hour - http://www.care.com/
Chicago - CHICAGO BEARS - Sous Chef . Culinary degree required for Sous Chef position. Other available positions Banquet Supervisor, Concessions Supervisor
We also have part time, game day jobs, to apply for those send resume to bearsjobs@dncinc.com - www.monster.com
New York, NY - Juror Decision Making in a Death Penalty Trial. Researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice are looking for people to come in and serve as mock jurors in a mock death penalty trial. Participants will watch a videotaped re-enactment of a death penalty trial and answer several questionnaires. Participation will last approximately two and a half hours and participants will receive $40 in cash upon completion of the experiment - www.craigslist.com
What "unusual" job opportunities have you run across?
Below are a few of the job postings that I found on the web this week.
Columbia, SC - Looking for part time and full time female bikini clad lawn care service professionals. Your chance to earn a high pay and get a tan. We work in pairs. Pay starts at $10/hour plus tips. - http://columbia.craigslist.org/
Lemon Grove, CA - Seeking Insect Trapper - Lemon Grove area. Valid CDL w/clean DMV. Must speak and read English. $12.00/hr. Will train... - http://www.indeed.com/
Abilene, TX - Dog Sitter - Three lab mixes- Need feeding twice a day- Can stay outside during day if weather is good.- Inside at night- Also, feed and water toads, and water non-venomous snakes- Feed and give water and mice- Pick up mail- Water plants- Dates at this time may change slightly - $15 - $25 per hour - http://www.care.com/
Chicago - CHICAGO BEARS - Sous Chef . Culinary degree required for Sous Chef position. Other available positions Banquet Supervisor, Concessions Supervisor
We also have part time, game day jobs, to apply for those send resume to bearsjobs@dncinc.com - www.monster.com
New York, NY - Juror Decision Making in a Death Penalty Trial. Researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice are looking for people to come in and serve as mock jurors in a mock death penalty trial. Participants will watch a videotaped re-enactment of a death penalty trial and answer several questionnaires. Participation will last approximately two and a half hours and participants will receive $40 in cash upon completion of the experiment - www.craigslist.com
What "unusual" job opportunities have you run across?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SEVERED AND HARASSED
"I signed a severance package. Do I still have a right to sue the company if I feel I was harassed?"
The short and sweet answer is...Yes! You can sue anyone for any reason. You can file complaints with the ADA, EEOC, FBI, DEA, etc. The question is how far will you get? Will you have a case? Ask yourself the following questions; Were you harassed to the extent that the harassment was continuous, persistent and/or pervasive? Why did you wait to your termination date to decide to pursue action against your alleged harasser?
Be prepared to ask yourself these questions because these are the questions your former company's attorney will ask during the trial. Every effort will be made to weaken your claim. Especially scrutinizing why you signed a document stating you had no interest in filing a claim or pursuing litigation. The reality is that companies spend googles of money to protect themselves by creating severance letters to give them the upper hand in case you ever decide to sue.
If you sincerely, whole-heartedly believe you have been harassed, run and do not walk to the nearest competent attorney. However, if you are just a little bitter that you have been separated from your former employee...or, if you think your big company might just be a big target for easy money...think again! Your former company is prepared for you and the rest of your ex-coworkers who may have the same thoughts and their goal is to make your life a living nightmare if you decide to retaliate.
Let me know what you decide to do...and remember I am routing for you. Especially if those dogs harassed you!
The short and sweet answer is...Yes! You can sue anyone for any reason. You can file complaints with the ADA, EEOC, FBI, DEA, etc. The question is how far will you get? Will you have a case? Ask yourself the following questions; Were you harassed to the extent that the harassment was continuous, persistent and/or pervasive? Why did you wait to your termination date to decide to pursue action against your alleged harasser?
Be prepared to ask yourself these questions because these are the questions your former company's attorney will ask during the trial. Every effort will be made to weaken your claim. Especially scrutinizing why you signed a document stating you had no interest in filing a claim or pursuing litigation. The reality is that companies spend googles of money to protect themselves by creating severance letters to give them the upper hand in case you ever decide to sue.
If you sincerely, whole-heartedly believe you have been harassed, run and do not walk to the nearest competent attorney. However, if you are just a little bitter that you have been separated from your former employee...or, if you think your big company might just be a big target for easy money...think again! Your former company is prepared for you and the rest of your ex-coworkers who may have the same thoughts and their goal is to make your life a living nightmare if you decide to retaliate.
Let me know what you decide to do...and remember I am routing for you. Especially if those dogs harassed you!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
PLEASE HELP ME!
Dear AskMrsHR: I am so glad I found your website...I've looked everywhere for the answer to the following concern I have and I'm hoping maybe you could help me. Just recently at my job I filed a complaint for bullying (& sexual) harassment from my supervisor (man) to the HR Department. They did a complete investigation and then called me in and just said "investigation is over your desk will be moved away from him and there should be no more problems and that includes retaliation". No less than 8 days later he bullied me again and for no reason did it in front of a couple of other co-workers. I reported the incident and put it in writing the entire episode to HR. They immediately did another investigation and said that my alleged retaliation complaint came back 'unfounded'. They wanted me to sign a form stating that I agreed and I would not. (By the way I'm about his fourth victim, so any of my witnesses who used to get picked by him will not back me up) Later the next day I went to HR and told them I had a concern. Since I work at night he's been staying late with me and there is no one around (and that's when he would do the bullying most) and told them I do not feel comfortable with being alone with him. By the way, I work 12-8 p.mand he works from but since the second investigation I reported him for retaliation he's been staying really late until everyone else is gone and it's just me and him. It's so bad that we do not even speak to one another. Well the same day I went to HR and expressed my concerns they told me to go home for the rest of the week with paid leave of absence (they are paying) and that they would call me on Fri. to tell me what's been decided. I asked them what they meant and she just said I will call you on Friday because currently I have other people higher up who are looking at this whole thing and they are deciding something? (bizarre) Friday rolled around I did not get an email nor phone call with any type of update ie. come back on Mon, your terminated or anything. I called her and left a message and nothing. I mean...what do I do back to work on Monday. Was this there way of laying me off? I find it very odd I just want to know am I coming back or not. I don't trust them because they did not give this leave of absence to me in writing and since they are not calling me back to say anything could they ruin my chances of unemployment and say I quit on my own and/or walked off the job? Bewildered and disgusted,Any advice you could offer would be most appreciated and just for the record I don't want to go back. Thanks.
Hello,I am also glad you found my website! First things first, although this is an extremely stressful time, you must keep your cool. The fact that you have documented the bullying will make your case strong. Make sure you have documented all events beginning with the first incident. Based on your email, it sounds as if you are experiencing the effects of a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment occurs when the harassment is so prevalent that it effects your daily duties. The good news is that there appears to be some alarm and urgency occurring on the part of your company. It is going to be your responsibility to be persistent and make sure you receive the justice you deserve. In all fairness, investigations take time. It is standard practice that they would interview all witnesses and parties involved and if the company's attorney is not available, that could take an extra day. It is also against the law for the company to retaliate against you for bringing harassment claims to their attention. My advice to you is to be patient and persistent. While you are waiting for the company's decision, you should contact your employee assistance plan to get advice on counseling and legal assistance. As a woman, you are categorized under the law as a protected class. Although most would think this unfair, you can use this to your advantage. Make sure you know the company's policies on harassment by reviewing your employee manual and any other trainings you may have participated on. Have those policies ready to recite back to your HR dept to hold them accountable. Remember, there will be nothing comfortable about this process. However, you are most likely not the first and will not be the last to experience this treatment if nothing is done. Lastly, unless you can medically prove you are now disabled due to this treatment, you will be expected to return to work as soon as possible. Keep me posted and keep your head up!
Hello,I am also glad you found my website! First things first, although this is an extremely stressful time, you must keep your cool. The fact that you have documented the bullying will make your case strong. Make sure you have documented all events beginning with the first incident. Based on your email, it sounds as if you are experiencing the effects of a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment occurs when the harassment is so prevalent that it effects your daily duties. The good news is that there appears to be some alarm and urgency occurring on the part of your company. It is going to be your responsibility to be persistent and make sure you receive the justice you deserve. In all fairness, investigations take time. It is standard practice that they would interview all witnesses and parties involved and if the company's attorney is not available, that could take an extra day. It is also against the law for the company to retaliate against you for bringing harassment claims to their attention. My advice to you is to be patient and persistent. While you are waiting for the company's decision, you should contact your employee assistance plan to get advice on counseling and legal assistance. As a woman, you are categorized under the law as a protected class. Although most would think this unfair, you can use this to your advantage. Make sure you know the company's policies on harassment by reviewing your employee manual and any other trainings you may have participated on. Have those policies ready to recite back to your HR dept to hold them accountable. Remember, there will be nothing comfortable about this process. However, you are most likely not the first and will not be the last to experience this treatment if nothing is done. Lastly, unless you can medically prove you are now disabled due to this treatment, you will be expected to return to work as soon as possible. Keep me posted and keep your head up!
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