Interviewer Was Simply Rude

Q: After 25 years with the same firm, I lost my job due to downsizing. My job search has raised many questions and complaints about interviewing.

Why do interviewers say they will definitely call back in a few days and then not call? It would be much nicer to say, “We’ll try to call you. If we don’t, please call us.” It’s demeaning, demoralizing and depressing to look for a job, and interviewers should show a little compassion for job seekers.

Common courtesy seems to be a big failing of interviewers.

What’s happening out there today?

A: Your complaints are the most common I hear today - interviewers lack honesty, knowledge, experience and are downright rude.

But don’t let these people get you down. Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz writing in “The 100 Best Companies To Work for in America,” (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group 1993), point out that the best companies are noted for fairness and openness, friendliness, employee benefits and more.

Keep a positive attitude and be grateful for finding out what a company is like before you accept a job there.

Office manager discovers others are paid more

Q: I have worked as an office manager for a small company for two years. My boss, who is also a partial owner, has been disrespectful to me since the day I started.

I recently discovered that other employees - some who started less than five months ago - have received raises. I had to wait 15 months before I got a raise, and it was only 50 cents, compared to the $1 everyone else received. During the summer, I have to sit in a hot office while others are in air-conditioning.

I’m looking for another job, but is there some way I can make this man pay for what he has put me through?

A: The best revenge is finding another job and not looking back.

If a bad situation motivates you to land a better job, then those unpleasant circumstances have served a great purpose.

Reporting fraud ain’t easy, but it’s necessary

Q: One of my co-workers doesn’t have a clue how to do his job, yells at me and tells others he is my superior, which he is not. My supervisor wants me to work through this problem, but I don’t even want to try.

My second problem is that I have proof that the agency’s executive director and another top manager have committed a $45,000 fraud.

My supervisor is a close friend with this top manager, so I can’t report what I know to him. I wrote a letter to the future head of the board of directors. I don’t want to be fired, but I want the fraud to be discovered. About five of us at work know about the situation, but we are treated as bad children whenever we complain. Any advice?

A: That’s one heck of a second problem. You should report only the facts of the fraud to the board of directors so they will have enough information to perform an audit. I hope you have made copies documenting the fraudulent transaction so the director can’t destroy any evidence. People have been fired for blowing the whistle, but continuing to work for such management is far worse - you could be held accountable in a coverup or made a scapegoat if it’s discovered at a later date.

It also sounds like you and your co-workers have not chosen your battles wisely, which could be why management treats you as complaining children. If you remain employed at this agency, confront your incompetent co-worker directly and don’t gossip about it to your colleagues.