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Employment Today™


"IF ONLY I'D HAVE BEEN BALD!"

Dear Kathryn:

Employers have adapted techniques worthy of a super spy! Their new, clever employment screening methods have gotten me into a real bad mess.

I was in a good, but boring job and really wanted to switch jobs. My husband was against it, but I was determined. I got a great offer from a company I really wanted to join. They made it clear that the offer was contingent on a drug test and since I hadn't engaged in any pot smoking in over six months, I wasn't worried a whit. I gave my notice immediately and thought nothing of going for the physical and drug test. Well, was I shocked when the normal urinalysis test wasn't given, but a snip of my hair was taken for the testing! Bottom line, I tested positive. I had already given up my much hated, but well-paying job when the new employer rescinded their job offer.

As I hadn't been engaged in drugs for awhile now, I was shocked by the outcome. When I tried to speak to human resources about this they said this new employment screening method had more accurate results. I was out of luck. I can't believe this happened and can't believe employers can proceed with what I think is an invasive process!

ROXANNE P., Wethersfield, CT

Dear Roxanne:

I guess employer's figure they're tired of having the wool pulled over their eyes with job hunters that temporarily stop drug use, just long enough in order to pass the drug screen. Employers have stumbled on the "hair test" that can provide an analysis much longer into the history of the candidate, and for right now, there is no regulation against an employer using this method.

I double checked this with Attorney Henry Zaccardi and he says that currently The Labor and Employment Commission is looking into the matter of hair testing however don't expect any changes in an employer's right to use this test unless a Statutory Ruling was to say so. My understanding is that the hair test tells your drug use history for up to the last year. I'll keep you up to date as more on this test surfaces.

Dear Kathryn:

I've been working for a nursing facility and was hired to work in one location, bus line accessible which was appealing, even though I had a car. Due to a shortage of nurses, they've had me traveling to different locations these past three months. I didn't want to do it but figured it would sit well with the brass and earn me better increases and promotions.

In a recent work day, I literally had to go to three facilities in one nine hour day. I'm not a traveling rep, don't have the car equipped for it and now have no car, and possibly no job.

I was in a car accident, totaling my car on the way to facility number three. My boss expected that I'd go and get a rental and continue on my merry way. Not only did I not go to work the rest of the week (no transportation!), I don't feel that my insurance should be paying for my car when I was using it for my company's benefit. I've not only been docked for being out of work, I've been told by my supervisor that if I don't get transportation within a week, I can consider myself unemployed.

I know I have rights here but don't even know the first step in pursuing them! HELP!

CATHIE R., Enfield, CT

Dear Cathie:

I don't like delivering bad news, but here goes. It doesn't seem like you have a "contract", guaranteeing your job being bus line accessible and/or in one location. Assuming no contract, your employer can change the rules in the middle of the game (like requiring you to travel to three locations in one day), and you can either do it, or, surprise, find a new job! I double checked this with Attorney Brian Clemow and he agrees. Your employer calls the shots and can alter requirements depending on company needs--and that can include travel. As for your docked pay, your employer can do that, also.

As for immediately being able to get unemployment compensation, Clemow feels you'll be approved. When it comes to whether your insurance should pay for the totaled vehicle claim or theirs, that's for your insurance company to battle out. Provide the details to them and I'm certain they'll chug ahead if they feel they can win.

Best thing to do now-get a different employer. Any employer that is that stingy is unlikely to change their style. Its one thing to change the position's requirements, but providing no leeway after a car accident on their clock is not an employer for whom I'd like to work. Get moving on getting employed with someone more reasonable.

Dear Kathryn:

How does someone who's employed, look for a job when all the employer's ad reveals are post office box numbers or fax numbers? Even if I don't recognize the fax number, I could be replying to my own company! I've seen the mess my coworker found himself in when he replied to an ad that seemed too good to be true- it was. It was his own job, cleverly disguised as one with growth, appreciation and bonuses. His boss showed him the resume he had received from his internet ad and told him that it was obvious he wasn't happy so he should move on. Within two months, he was booted out with trumped up claims of "insubordination."

I'm considering sending my resume out without my full name and current employer, just stating the industry. I can't risk losing my job, but employers are uniformly running these blind ads with jobs I would be right for.

TOM P., Manchester, CT

Dear Tom:

I can appreciate your frustration and your friend's experience is not unique. Your solution of sending off a cryptic resume as you described is certainly one way of handling it-but if is your own employer, would your recruiting person or possibly even your boss, not recognize your job description, and finally voice once reaching you?

A reasonable solution is to work with an experienced, savvy recruiter. Experienced headhunter's that value their candidate's confidential searches take extra pains to keep your search under wraps. First, they will never present you to your current or past employers. Be strong about keeping your search very discreet, and indicate you'd like your resume sent "blind", (no name) until an interview is scheduled. If there are companies you've applied to or are not interested in, fill them in beforehand to prevent duplication of efforts you've made and avoiding companies you're not interested in.

As for responding to blind box ads? As you know, this is very risky, unless you can glean enough from the ad guaranteeing you it's not your employer or competitor who would make your resume public knowledge just for the heck of it. Advertising employers take note-while you might not want a flurry of unwanted phone calls, identify who you are in your ad. Put in the ad, "no phone calls" and suffer the very few that might trickle in. Otherwise, you've very well missing out on some of the best candidates the job market's keeping secret, because of your secretiveness.