Legal and Illegal Employment Practices

My last employer asked me during my interview if I had children. He stated that children would interfere w/ the job.
Also, if age discrimination is supposed to be illegal, then why do we have to enter graduation dates from high school & secondary schools on applications?

Well speaking from experience, and recent at that, we have fallen into the pits of hell when the goat has been gotten; but I have to remember what my great, great, grandfather always use to say "It takes two and you can't win an argument with someone if you don't give them the power to continuously strike back with their venom."
Some people will never understand your point if they live in a dark narrow tunnel.
Hang in there!!

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: As far as his team player nonsense goes, how about usually coming to work at 5:30 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. when the normal day begins at 8:30 for team playing? ....I will now take a Valium.

I see so it is responding to me without actually speaking to me then? I can play that game. It is after all a public forum for all to read.

People sometime think that coming in two hours before everyone else is being a team player. That is not true. Such an approach shows that you wish to work alone and are more efficient if other players are not present. It makes one seem untouchable in the workplace. It is as bad as having one's lunch alone each day instead of with the group. It tends to break down the team spirit and make other employees wish you were gone. Eventually management starts to feel the same way and eventually you are dismissed for whatever reason they can dredge up.

Such actions (unless requested by management) also appear to other employees that you are the type who would jump the gun and will go to extremes to beat them and show them up by already being two hours ahead every morning.

I will now refrain from using a drug as a crutch. :)

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: Anonymous in Houston, Texas: "My last employer asked me during my interview if I had children. He stated that children would interfere w/ the job.

Also, if age discrimination is supposed to be illegal, then why do we have to enter graduation dates from high school & secondary schools on applications?"

Discrimination on two counts. His question about children was clearly illegal. Employers can ask if you have any family obligations that can interfere with your job.

Another way for them to determine age. You don't *have* to answer that question. Just put NA on apps.

Hope that helps a little.

I was pretty surprised by the question of children, but I really needed the job at the time. I've left the position since my boss was lied about a lot of things:
1. I asked about getting an increase in pay after 2 months since I was doing 4 times more work than the other assistant. He told me to delegate, which wasn't my position to do so. Then he said that I would receive a review in 6 months-No review.
2. He didn't show up for work for almost 5 months. Every time his boss called we would have to make up excuses as to why he wasn't in the office. He would show up for weekley meetings, but then leave soon thereafter. I guess he got away w/ it.
2. I was sitting on the floor filing some papers away, boss came to straddle over my head to use the printer and said, "You don't need to move unless you like to be underneath me." I got up immediately and didn't say anything else. I just kept my distance since then. Then he said that he couldn't work with someone like me. What the heck?!

Anonymous in Houston, Texas said: My last employer asked me during my interview if I had children. He stated that children would interfere w/ the job.
Also, if age discrimination is supposed to be illegal, then why do we have to enter graduation dates from high school & secondary schools on applications?

Usually the question regarding children may be a clue that they will be asking you to suddenly work overtime and they probably have found that reasonable people reject this treatment when they have children who must be attended to at certain times of the day. I think you should run from such an employer.

The request for dates of schooling is another tip off to discrimination. Particularly when they ask for secondary school dates. A reasonable employer can pretty much assume that if you graduated from High School then you went to grammar school and there would be no reason to have the dates of attendance for the purpose of verifying this.

Jobless Female in Washington, District of Columbia said: "It takes two and you can't win an argument with someone if you don't give them the power to continuously strike back with their venom."

Ha! Is that some sort of Freudian slip or what? Double negative there. You can't if you don't?

What your Grandfather meant was you can't win an argument if instead of posing a valid counterpoint, you just disagree for the sake of disagreeing and ask for more opposition - which is generally what you both are doing.

You may not like my answers, but I am giving answers, not just arguing and posing no real viewpoint other than an "all is lost" self pity.

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: Among other things, being a team player includes being conscientious. Meaning, doing what is necessary to turn in work on time.

Only if that is the plan for the team. In other works (and I hate to use football analogies) coming in early on your own is like taking the ball during the huddle and running for the goal line with no regard to the rules or plans of the team. That is why I say if management requests the extra time. Doing it on your own and consistently is working outside the plans of the team. Perhaps you got overtime for that work? Perhaps they got tired of you always costing them more money?

I don't know.. why don't you just tell us why they let you go and we won't have to speculate.

Did the other paralegal find it necessary to come in early as well?

Anonymous in Houston, Texas said: He told me to delegate, which wasn't my position to do so.

In your particular position you are well shod of that boss but for the benefit of future jobs and others, don't ignore what a boss tells you to do as long as it is a reasonable business request.

In this case he told you to delegate. If he is your boss then it is extremely incorrect to tell yourself "It's not my position to do that." It IS your position to do that if he told you to do it. He gave you permission to do so and directed you to do so.

It didn't mean you had to go around acting like you had just been promoted to a position of power, it just meant to go to the others and say something like, "I have a ton of stuff to do and (the boss) advised we share the load, so could you take some of this?"

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: Sorry, got to disagree with you. The way I was raised, in an interview setting, a certain degree of decorum is expected. It is different once you get the job. At that point we can discuss friendship.

Maybe you do things differently in Atlanta. And, once again, you don't know anything about working in lawfirms.

I am beginning to get a picture of you here. Okay, first you have misunderstood the idea of decorum. The Mr/Ms thing means don't walk into an interview and begin with Hey! Charlie! how are ya? If you happen to see his name on the desk plaque. You address him as Mr. But..... when he says, "You can call me Charlie," from that point on you are expected to be friendly and call him Charlie and establish a rapport during the interview.

"Discuss friendship???" Are you serious? Is that the way you make friends by discussing it first? "Well, Sir, I think you are a fine fellow and I am wondering if we should be friends or not. What is your take on this idea, Mr. Jones?"

Talk about a cold fish! As for doing it differently in Atlanta, no. I lived in Denver for a year way back when and I saw no particularly stodgy atmosphere there. In fact, I always liked the traffic law that said you had to stop your car if a pedestrian stepped off the curb even in the middle of the block. That was back in the sixties and may not be the case today but I distinctly remember screeching tires on Colfax when I decided to jaywalk one day. Scared the crap outta me. :)

I am getting the impression you believe you are doing things right but because you live in your shell, people reject you in the business environment. Ask people what they think sometimes. You may find they don't dislike you as much as you imagine. And for God's sake, at your next interview, call the person "Charlie" or "Sally" or whatever if they say it is ok. :)

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: No. Further, considering that you were not there and have no knowledge of the facts and circumstances, you are in no position to comment. And, these gals were my peers, ... Thus, your comment about "first names" is inoperative.

I am sorry. I thought you meant the receptionists when you spoke of the formal titles. Things have changed. Paralegals used to be a more highly respected position and not on the same level as a mere receptionist. It makes it even more obvious that you majored in Spinster 101 if you are trying to be some haughty professional when you are just a receptionist with paralegal training. There is your answer. Stop going for paralegal jobs. Apply for receptionist/secretary/admin assistant positions (whatever they call them these days.)

And please don't give the old saw about "you weren't there." If you wish to discuss the situation intelligently then say why you were fired or let go or laid off or resigned and then it is debatable but it not a valid argument to let people guess and then try to prove your point by saying you have facts and they don't. That "tactic" makes about as much sense as me saying something like, "Well I am an expert on this subject so believe me." See how just the example makes ya want to hurl?

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: I don't recall requesting any answers, especially from you.

And now we come back to this... This is a public forum and it is open to anyone. The "asking" for answers is implied when anyone posts here.

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said:
I don't care to discuss my job loss on a public board. It's not especially important.

Then why are you discussing your personal situation here? is your intent just to argue and get no help and give no help?

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: (Apologies for the multiple edits - sure wish this board's software would let you edit after posting.)

Well I will agree with you there. I have found that it works if you just quote your own line and then write (edit) and restate.

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: How about being a self-starter, showing initiative, exhibiting dedication, and putting the firm's and, ultimately, the clients' needs ahead of mine.

And where do your peers (the team) fit into that formula?

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said: I'm through trying to explain law firm work to you.

I am glad to hear it. A law firm isn't any different from any other business with respect to deadlines, pressure, costs, etc. I worked on huge computers during my early career. Clients were not only demanding, they were standing there watching you while you worked. They were losing hundreds of thousands of dollars every day the machine was down. Even if it was down an hour, they had a building full of workers waiting to continue working - all drawing salary as the clock ticked on. Too many instances of the machine going down meant the machine could be replaced by a competitor and a big loss to my company. At one time, clients paid $20K per month for the person to be on-site in case that machine went down.

You seem to think that your profession is unusual. It isn't. it is just a business.

Displaced Legal Professional in Arvada, Colorado said:
The remark was made in jest.

Now, I have had enough.

No you haven't. You will respond further and it is allowed to do so. I will cut you some slack and say that I apologize if what I have said truly insulted you. That was not my intent. I sincerely was trying to help you. I am sorry if you cannot accept my advice but it is based on many years more than 15 in the world of business.

Some things in business (which includes the search for a job) don't change that much. Many ideas I have proposed are valid in other aspects of life as well. Having had my own business, I have experienced both sides of the coin and most people in these forums are slanted toward the viewpoint of the employee. There is the other side to the situation and if you have been there on that other side, you have a an additional perspective. If someone says the company did wrong or the job market is screwed up and won't employ me, there is the other side and usually it has nothing to do with the individual employee.

I have seen employees who believe they are dedicated souls actually cause a problem in the office simply because the group has rejected them on aspects of their personality. A big part of teamwork is simply getting along with other people on the team. Even if it is a heated dialog, it is communication and shutting that communication off can be devastating to the team. In the job search, it can be equally devastating.

If you got nothing else out of all this, remember -"call me Charlie, not Mr. Jones."

Ummm....would you two like a room? Just kidding. :)

Hello!

I have a question that I hope somebody can answer.

I'm currently working for a Japanese-based corporation here in Los Angeles at one of it's retail/convenience stores as part of the management team.

After over a year of being open and in business [13 stores], they have FINALLY decided to implement standardized training and payrates. The only problem is that now everyone has to go through the system, and as of July 1st, payrates were supposed to change to match the new "positions" within the company.

It's already the end of July and we've already been paid for the first half of the month at our original payrates. The word is that they're going to implement the paycuts now and they're going to siphon off the money that they were supposed to cut off on the 1st from the paychecks of every employee in the company.

So they're going to take my payrate of 13.50/hr and cut it down to 10.50/hr... in addition, they plan on taking the pay they should have cut on the 1st... which means my paycheck is going to be hit HARD. We did sign documents that allow them to lower our pay, and that's something that's being fought right now... but I question the legality of them taking the "overpayment" from our paychecks. Can someone please clarify if this is a legal business practice? I have a feeling they're going to lose a significant amount of employees. I, for one, will walk and take the flagship store staff with me.

A company can do whatever they like with pay rates. They can legally walk in one day and tell you you are now making (whatever) unless you have a written contract. A pay cut is just as legal as them walking in and giving you a RAISE in pay without warning. What a company is willing to pay is solely their decision.

As for the back pay... You admit that you were informed about changes to the pay and that it was to take place on July 1st so I would say they are on firm legal ground because they have informed you, you have signed documents to the effect that you agree and the timing is not at issue.

However, this is just my opinion. If you think it is illegal, then consult an attorney.

"The word is that they're going to implement the paycuts now and they're going to siphon off the money that they were supposed to cut off on the 1st from the paychecks of every employee in the company."

That is hearsay, BTW. My advice is to determine the truth and not panic on some rumor.

Call me Charlie in Louisville, Kentucky said: "The word is that they're going to implement the paycuts now and they're going to siphon off the money that they were supposed to cut off on the 1st from the paychecks of every employee in the company."

That is hearsay, BTW. My advice is to determine the truth and not panic on some rumor.

Well, it's not hearsay... They're going to make the cuts, but the question is now or next week. The thing is, it's all been word of mouth. It hasn't been made official in writing yet.

M Teo in Los Angeles, California said: Well, it's not hearsay... They're going to make the cuts, but the question is now or next week. The thing is, it's all been word of mouth. It hasn't been made official in writing yet.

Okay. Anyway, I agree with you. Walk! And take as big a crowd with you as you can. If ever there was an opportunity to start your own business, this is it. Carpe diem!

I am a 43 yr old female, been an RN for over 20 yrs..I worked part time at the same hospital for 20 years, while also working in MANY different aspects of nursing at the same time. I have NEVER had a prob getting a job. As a matter of fact, up until 3 years ago I had never had an interview where an offer wasn't made. Then I became 40, and stopped doing hospital nursing and started working in an office where I sat all day. I gained weight. I will humbly say that I have always been told that I am attractive and don't know if it makes one bit of difference, but since I have put on 50 lbs I have been stunned to find that I can't seem to get a job. I still have no probs getting interviews but am always told that there are other applicants or that they will get back to me, but no one does.

Has anyone else experienced this? I am starting an exercise program and will hopefully lose the weight, I will be very interested to see if my luck changes.

Tired of it all in Nashville, Tennessee said: up until 3 years ago I had never had an interview where an offer wasn't made. Then I became 40,

Probably has little to do with your weight but a lot to do with your age. Having said that, overweight does add to the illusion of age.

No matter how much we want to not believe it is true, employers are human after all and a person who appears to be beyond that golden age of sexy attractiveness (whether due to actual age or just being not so "hot" looking anymore), they don't fair as well on the "I gotta have you working in my office" scene.

Interestingly enough the gender does not matter that much. A nice looking guy is just as great an asset to an office because the females there will be a happier bunch just having him to see each day even if the hiring manager is a straight male (and vice versa).

worked in medical field for 23 years and now I'm jobless at 48 yrs. old I am 5'7 115 lbs. prefect health don't smoke or drink never called in sick most people are shock when they find out I have a 25yr old daughter good genes I guess I worked last job for 6 yrs then 6 months ago I trained a new 24 yr old employee after another employees quit 2weeks later I was fired she got my job 2 weeks later she quit they have hired 2 more 24-30 yr old females since they are no longer working there either I couldn't even get a job interview until I took the year I graduate school off my resume, put where I worked and how long but not the dates

state vacancy was posted and I recieved a letter to interview. I contacted the individual and conveyed that I was interested in interviewing. the individual said they will be out of town for 2 weeks and will contact me when they return. a little over two weeks had past and I sent a letter stating I am still interested. the person set a date to interview. and I confirmed that date and time for the interview. Later that day. I recieved an email that the individual could not get all the staff together for the date of the interview and that it will be cancelled. that individual specifically ask me to respond that I confirm the cancelatiion. and that the individual will get back to me in a couple weeks for choice of interview dates. that time had past and I sent an email conveying my continued interest in the postion. 2 days later, I recieved a letter stating that the positiion had been filled by an internal staff member..... I am dumbfounded, did I miss something here.. I am not sure how I can interpret this and not sure If I should consult someone on the practice of this?

Yes, I do have proof the emails. The one thing I did not mentioned I am deaf. There is one thing he said that he did not see me on the ASL certification list, however, I did forward the email I spoke with headquarters that confirmed I am. he never acknowledge that, although he said it does not in no way affect my interview at this point in time. The other question Iam curious about. I know it is common practice if a vacancy comes oopen, first they internally post it for current employees. if no one applies, then they begine to externally post the position. In my case, it looks as if they did not do that. The job was posted for recruitment internally and externally. Having said that, I feel even if he did have someone in mind, I should have been given the opportunity to interview. I am well qualified for the position. what do you think?

It is illegal for companies to inquire about your age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Anyone over the age of 40 is considered a "protected class" much like people of color, the disabled, etc.

You can report this practice to your local office of the EEOC.

55 & looking in Portland, Oregon said: I applied and interviewed for a contract software position at a large online medical information company. In addition to a job application, they had me fill a form to "track their interviewing process"; including my ethnic group, social security number and age.
I was in a bit of a quandry about filling it out, but since I didn't want to appear negative about applying, I went ahead.

Although the interview went well (always hard to tell), I didn't get the job.

I am 55 and although I believe there is a lot of covert age-ism, this is the first time it has been so overt.

I believe this is illegal, but what recourse did/do I have?

Companies have ways of finding out your age, getting around it. For example, for an outside sales position where you will be giving a company car, they will ask to see your driver license, so they can check your driving record. They don't want someone driving the company car who has a bad record. And, nowadays companies ask you to fill out the employment application before your interview, this is common practice now.

Coca-Cola, for their Account Manager position you have to fill out an online application to be considered. I BELIEVE they asked for my date of birth.

The American Red Cross in NY state, online application, go to Donatebloodnow.org, then go to employment, then go to Albany Division, then go to Account Rep position. Take a look at the application. I just filled it out. In one section it ask for date of birth, on another part it ask for your high school date. My point is as an applicant if you want the job you have to play their game, I need a job, I don't have time to be in court to sue for their violation of the law.

Take a look for yourself - Donatebloodnow.org - It's a great job to have with cushy benefits - so I put in my DOB. If I were to put in N/A, they probably wouldn't call me. Actually, they say somewhere on the form that if you don't fill out the form completely then you will not be considered. Honest truth.

The really sad thing is nowadays with identity theft. I think they said 80 million people's identities were stolen last year. If a hacker gets this personal online information about me and uses it, guess what the lawyers for the American Red Cross are going to tell me, that I volunteeraly ( I know I mispelled the word ) gave out this information. More and more companies are going with the online application and that does worry me and I am seeing alot more personal info being asked. Maybe McD's is hiring, didn't Kevin Spacey's character decide to work there.

Many states are "at will" employment, which translates to "at whim" which means that employees have no rights. It is a kind of power madness. My employer fired me one week after I tended a professional courtesy, a two week notice, & then fattened my folder w/justifications (among other nonsense, he had put me on "super secret probation"). I couldn't posssibly have been this kind of employee & worked for 13 + years. He was permitted to cancel three hearings @ the Ohio Dept. of Job & Family services for unlawful termination. I was 52 @ the time; this still haunts me professionally, & I'm only recovering personally now.

laid-off in Livermore in San Leandro, California said: Here's one: a large layoff where everyone gets a letter telling them their position is not needed. A month later temps are being hired to fill those positions. Does the company has a legal obligation to offer the positions to those who were laid off? Is there preferential rehire for laid-off employees?

It seems like whenever there is new management, previous long term employees have their positions eliminated. Then those same jobs have new titles, & new employees @ base wage get hired. @ a local reemployment center, I encountered dozens of women (usually) who had worked for decades or more now unemploymed in that circumstance.

Jobless Female said: And one other question -- HR Person -- What does someones credit report have to do with the job? We the people are being laid off left & right, using every dime to save our homes yet our credit goes sour. We can't get interviews no matter how much education, experience, or training we have because we are being judged by a credit report which has nothing to do with whether we can do the job. We are trying to get jobs and our credit is falling by the wayside because it is difficult to secure a position. Those with bad credit, due to lay-offs, are being told we are BRIBERY risks yet we haven't done anything to get this label but get laid off and try to survive what the companies we were working for did to us. Now that Credit reports are a factor the working class trying to survive will not survive and the homeless rates will continue to grow. However, since it is the govt. who puts out those reports they will lie about that to the rest of the world as well. We as a country are completely screwed! Nothing like working over 30 years to lose everything because we are now deemed Bribe risks. We need someone to regulate the govts hiring practices that aren't a govt agency!!

@ a reemployment agency, I was told that companies check out credit reports to determine who is trustworthy (likely to steal) or not. Since so much application is done on line, I'm nervous about constantly posting my social security number. I just got a phone call @ home from a stranger referencing a general job search that had nothing to do w/this person's supposed business. I'm a senior @ 56 w/a college degree; I'm working part time, my debts are piling up, & I'm concerned that someone will see my credit card debt & compound the situation by refusing to give me that extra paycheck so I can repay my loans.

I was recently told by my company (during a reorg) that my job had been eliminated and that I was eligible for a severance package. I have not yet officially been given the package (will happen in tne next two weeks), yet someone has been hired for my previous position. Is this legal in NYS?

I can tell you that Ohio is an "at will" employment state, which translates to "at whim." Employers act like plantation owners regarding employees. I tried three times to get a hearing @ the OH Dept. of Job & Family Services for unlawful dismissal when I was fired one week after I tended a two week notice as a professional courtesy. My former employer was permitted to postpone every schedule hearing repeatedly, & w/each cancellation, cited a different excuse. It became obvious that I had no rights @ all.
By firing me, a 52 year old woman, I was blacklisted in my degreed profession. Because I was fired, I cannot get a basic application considered anywhere. W/age discrimination rampant, I'm lucky to be working part time anywhere, but I've been living on credit cards for two years, & I just don't think about the debt I'm accumulating.

deansuraci said: The really sad thing is nowadays with identity theft. I think they said 80 million people's identities were stolen last year. If a hacker gets this personal online information about me and uses it, guess what the lawyers for the American Red Cross are going to tell me, that I volunteeraly ( I know I mispelled the word ) gave out this information. More and more companies are going with the online application and that does worry me and I am seeing alot more personal info being asked. Maybe McD's is hiring, didn't Kevin Spacey's character decide to work there.

I was on monster.com in a newsgroup asking about all those on line applications that require your SS#. Someone replied w/a scenario where a company vault was breached & not only valuables but everyone's information was stolen, so your info isn't really safe anywhere.

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or if there are any HR or legal experts that may be able to comment this situation. I recently resigned from my position due to the illegal practices of my employer. Without getting into too much info, I applied for unemployment and was initially turned down. I appealed the case and subsequently won. In my aplications for positions, I ask the potential employers not to contact my previous employer for a reference. I have been unsuccessful in finding a position, though I am well qualified and have proceeded through the interviewing process properly. I know my credit is not bad and during the interview I am honest if not brief about my resignation. My employer has threatened me several times vying to destroy me for having to pay unemployment. I don't know if he is actually doing something, or if it is just anger. I have not blown the whistle on him but am not sure of the courts have begun their own investigation. My credit is fine and no other problems in my past. Not that life is fair, however, it appears that due to my previous employers unethical and illegal practices and my moral character I am unable to find a position. Does anyone have any insight on how I can deal with this past situation in my job search and/or interviewing process?

Thank you so much for your input. I did indeed contact an attorney as the threats were also made in front of the unemployment court. However, as you know until something is done, there is not much more to pursue other than recorded threats. Being a single mom I have felt threatened and scared for our safety. I've never had this kind of situation happen to me. As to someone in the company, well there is no one. I had to let everyone go due to him taking all the funds, so there is no one to contact. I have clients that the future employer can contact but am not sure that it will do.
Being as I am honest in my interviews, I'm not quite sure of the verbiage to use in this type of situation. I can offer pay stubs but won't they still want to contact someone at the company? I was the vice president and the only one left is the owner, all officers have resigned not due to me but due to the employer. Should I contact them if they are still around?

Thank you for your advice, well taken and will do.

got an email from a potential employer asking my "age and family situation". I wrote back that these were illegal questions and never heard from them again. I wonder if they'd hired me if I told the truth - 43 and married with 5 kids.

Jobless Female in Vienna, Virginia said: Well, if their job requirement says you need over 10 years experience I would say 12 or 15 even if I had 26 years experience. That way you are covered without revealing your age and they can't figure it out.

All they have to do is look at when you graduated from college. Unless you went back to school later in life, that trick won't work. It's a simple process to do the math.

i have a question, i got laid off in jan, and i heard that my work has hired more welders and they never calld me back, is that illegal?? and what can i do??

I have a question in hopes that someone may have an answer, I was laid off in Dec 08, due to the economy, so they said. They hired a known illegal immigrant to fill my position, and when I contaced the HR department via e-mail to inform them of the GM's actions, she still has a job, well needless to say I just came across an ad on a job web site for my job title at the same place, is this illegal, what should I do? I am still unemployeed.

is it illegal to tell an employee he/she is terminated for one reason and give a different reason on your seperation papers?

It doesn't matter whether it's legal or illegal - because you really have very little recourse.

What does matter is if you will lose your right to unemployment compensation. Do not sign anything that you may unintentionally force you to give you your unemployment benefits.

Regarding employers giving different excuses for firing someone (& legal or illegal practices) . . . I gave a two week notice as a professional courtesy but was fired a week later (deliberately vindictive) based on lies/edits told by coached coworkers. I tried three times to get a hearing w/the ODJFS but my former employer was permitted to postpone each hearing & gave a different excuse for firing me w/each postponement. I was blacklisted in my tightly knit profession (veterinary medicine) @ 52 years of age & suffer increasing financial ruin ever since (2004). This same veterinary owner/manager doctored my personnel file shockingly; I could not have been that person & worked for more than a dozen years @ that clinic. To quote someone else on this forum -- "You have no recourse . . ." No, I don't, except PRAYER.

anonymous in San Leandro, California said: I'm curious how many people have experienced illegal HR practices. If legal experts could comment as well it would be very helpful.

I don't know whether this is illegal or not. I would dare say that it is unethical at the least. This past year, my employer intentionally gave out a large number of poor annual performance reviews in order to avoid paying merit raises and bonuses. Is there anyone out there who could provide a response to this comment. Legal experts feedback encouraged.

It all brings to mind Lord Acton's quote, "Power tends to corrupt, & absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely." What we have in management is a form of power madness. It's happening in mom&pop small business & Big Business. You don't need a degree in architecture to understand that the building will fall if the foundation isn't steady, undermined, or piece by piece removed. The world economy is collapsing because the WORKER on all levels, the foundation of business itself, has been steadily demeaned & devalued for @ least one, most likely two, decades. It's laughable when interview tutors talk about answering questions about worker longevity when we KNOW that companies don't keep employees around to collect any kind of offered retirement packages. Why would HR ask about years of work experience when every resume tutor tells you that no one cares about experience beyond the past decade? Employers can concoct any kind of employee file to justify their perfidy. There's always someone on staff to misinterpret or misrepresent what is said or done to suit the employer's particular prejudice or agenda of the moment. Of course, we all know that you can't crawl up any boss' butt far enough that a fart can't blow you away.

Is it illegal to be asked "how have you been supporting yourself since your last job over a year ago?" during an interview?

In August of '95, I had quit a market research interviewing position because it just too far of a commute for me at the time. I had taken a telemarketing position much closer to home. But then I was fired after 4 days because I wasn't getting enough sales.

I only got either one or two sales, but when I got my paycheck, I never received my commission. I left an after-hours message on the President's voicemail (he's the one who hired me) and told him that if I didn't get my money, I was going to report him to the Department of Labor.

A week later, after I came back from taking a Federal Civil Service test, he left a message on my answering machine. He said that I was a troublemaker and the was going to tell unemployoment not to give me my benefits. I was just so upset that I spent the rest of the day calling lawyers just to find out what my rights were. I was really worried sick about this.

Two weeks later, I went down to unemployment to see if I was eligible for benefits, and lo and behold, I was.

Three months later (in December), the company moved from the location that I worked at.