Ethics and Honor - A Rain Man Rant - Page 5

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 08:49 PM

Gol'dang it, I'm ticked off.

We've implemented a very challenging and time consuming process to hire people in my firm, in an effort to get the people who are most likely to be successful. We implemented it last year, and it took us three months to find a strong candidate for a relatively quantitative position. It was a college student who was supposed to graduate in May, and we made her the offer in January, with the agreement that she would start part time in January and then go full time in May.

Well, she's been working for us part time for four months, and was supposed to start full time two weeks from today. So what does she do today? She turns in her two-week notice. Her two-week notice!

Now, if the job wasn't a fit, that's fine. But it was. She was doing good work for us, we all liked her, and she seemed to be genuinely interested in the work. She had a great future here. But get this: It turns out that she continued interviewing for jobs after she accepted our job offer, and she actually accepted a second job offer AFTER SHE WAS WORKING AT MY COMPANY. She then strung my firm along for who knows how long, letting us think that she was keeping her commitment to start full time after graduation, while knowing full well that she was going to screw us over on short notice. Now we're having a busy month, and the person that I've been working my schedule around to accommodate a part-time schedule is freaking quitting, RIGHT WHEN SHE HAD COMMITTED TO STEP UP.

It ticks me off for about a thousand reasons. Dang it. What is wrong with people today? If someone treats you well, don't slam their fingers in the car door.

Stupid people. I hate people. From here on out, I'm just hiring cats.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallingAlice

I can see why you'd be pissed.

I think to take anything of value away from this situation, as angry as you are, try to withold judgement until you sit down with her for a heart to heart and say, "Look... I'm really disappointed in how this transpired. We valued you and we thought you were happy. We also expected you to start full time as of yadyayda. I don't want this to happen again, so I need to know if there was something specific that caused you to leave the way you have[i.e., f^ck us over].

Then, I would be honest and tell her that this answer is especially important because of your perception of what she has done. So...if she had particularly good reason to take another job then you would see this as reasonable...otherwise

You might mention that you are extremely irritated and that you will bring it up with her University/College employment office. Tell her that you intend not to take interns or graduates from this school again and that you will be contacting the college career services about the matter.

These are all reasonable things to do. They should get her attention.

I'll definitely talk to her in an exit interview, and just let her know from a coaching perspective that what she did is perceived as being highly unprofessional and is causing a problem for my company. I don't think she realizes that, and I'm trying to keep in perspective that she's only 22 years old.

I actually thought about writing to her college and just letting them know that they need to counsel students about this and put systems in place to prevent it. After all, it probably cost one of her classmates a job. However, I wouldn't stop hiring there, because it's not right to screw over some other student just because of this one's error in judgment.

cheeeefs · 05-02-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I can chop block this broad and take HER bike for you if you'd prefer......I'm guessing hers is newer anyway. I'll even put the basket on the front and the purple streamers in your handlebars.

*throws an elbow at the competition*

I'll do all that PLUS install a bell with a special Rainman jingle. Jingle yet to be decided, poll pending of course.

**Iowanian** · 05-02-2005, 09:51 PM

back off bookworm......The sound of that sissy bell will be drown out by the brand new, 1999 Trezelle Jenkins Rookie card in the spoke.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 09:54 PM

I can see that I have some good candidates here. Time to start lowballing and see who I can get the cheapest.

FallingAlice · 05-02-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'll definitely talk to her in an exit interview, and just
I actually thought about writing to her college and just letting them know that they need to counsel students about this and put systems in place to prevent it. After all, it probably cost one of her classmates a job. However, I wouldn't stop hiring there, because it's not right to screw over some other student just because of this one's error in judgment.

I think you should definitely write them.

As far as the other bit goes..pfft...it's an empty threat. But the girl doesn't need to know that. You could instead word the letter to say, "This experience has caused me to reconsider hiring future graduates of your school....yadayayda."

cheeeefs · 05-02-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

back off bookworm......The sound of that sissy bell will be drown out by the brand new, 1999 Trezelle Jenkins Rookie card in the spoke.

Rainman, he called your jingle "sissy".

**Iowanian** · 05-02-2005, 09:56 PM

You get what you pay for. All Cheefs will be able to do is spell everything correctly on his resignation letter, a month after I accept something more lucrative. Furthermore, Cheefs goofs off too much online, whereas I can always be trusted to work studiously and uninterupted, while left alone with internet access.

Besides, I've got a joke the BoD at Budweiser will LOVE.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 10:00 PM

[Donald Trump voice] Okay, my job here is to pick a new employee. It looks like I've got a lot of good candidates here, so we'll have a competition. Your first assignment: get a date for gochiefs. Whoever does worst gets fired from the competition. You've got 8 hours. On your mark, get set, go! [/Trump]

FallingAlice · 05-02-2005, 10:00 PM

If the above seems a bit cruel remember that revenge is a dish best served cold.

There's nothing more satisfying than revenge achieved with the posture of care, concern and "coaching."

This is the Bill Parcells school, natch. Tough love. One day she'll thank you for it?

**CosmicPal** · 05-02-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I can see that I have some good candidates here. Time to start lowballing and see who I can get the cheapest.

I hate my job- I'm sure I'm fully qualified to do whatever it is this gal was doing.

However, I expect the following:

An escalating pay scale based not on performance, but by the mere act of being there on time, all the time.

My own office.

My own secretary of whom I get to hire based purely on looks and sexiness rather than her ability to type or use a #2 pencil.

My own hot-tub with whom my secretary must share with me upon command.

My own well-stocked wet bar with premium-based alcohol.

An hour lunch.

My own parking space.

A window view of the mountains.

And the ability to fire anyone at will.

That's all I ask. When can I start?

FallingAlice · 05-02-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

[Donald Trump voice] Okay, my job here is to pick a new employee. It looks like I've got a lot of good candidates here, so we'll have a competition. Your first assignment: get a date for gochiefs. Whoever does worst gets fired from the competition. You've got 8 hours. On your mark, get set, go! [/Trump]

Hey gochiefs? You busy Saturday night?

I'm available whenever you are.

I WIN!!!! I WIN!! BINGO!! I GOT BINGO!!

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 10:01 PM

So you think that'll be more effective than my original plan of just hitting her, Falling Alice?

Hmm. Maybe you have a point...

cheeeefs · 05-02-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

You get what you pay for. All Cheefs will be able to do is spell everything correctly on his resignation letter, a month after I accept something more lucrative. Furthermore, Cheefs goofs off too much online, whereas I can always be trusted to work studiously and uninterupted, while left alone with internet access.

Besides, I've got a joke the BoD at Budweiser will LOVE.

Kevin is a numbers guy, so I'd like to point out two important numbers

2,929

20,896

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

I hate my job- I'm sure I'm fully qualified to do whatever it is this gal was doing.

However, I expect the following:

An escalating pay scale based not on performance, but by the mere act of being there on time, all the time.

My own office.

My own secretary of whom I get to hire based purely on looks and sexiness rather than her ability to type or use a #2 pencil.

My own hot-tub with whom my secretary must share with me upon command.

My own well-stocked wet bar with premium-based alcohol.

An hour lunch.

My own parking space.

A window view of the mountains.

And the ability to fire anyone at will.

That's all I ask. When can I start?

We actually offer all of this except the one-hour lunch. We only offer 45 minutes. Thank you for your interest. NEXT!

Inspector · 05-02-2005, 10:04 PM

I'm really a whole lot smarter than any of these other candidtaes.

I just don't have any way of proving it.

You'll just have to take my word for it.

Oh, and what is this math thing you keep talking about? Is that like cyphering?

View Poll Results: In which situations is either party being unethical or dishonorable?
A. Employer makes job offer to college student, student starts work, employer fires student within 90 days for poor job performance.	0	0%
B. Employer makes job offer to college student, student starts work, student quits within 90 days after finding 'better' job.	0	0%
C. Employer makes job offer to college student, student starts work, employer lays off student within 90 days due to slow business.	3	21.43%
D. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, employer rescinds offer before start date because a stronger candidate came available by pure happenstance	9	64.29%
E. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, employer continues to interview candidates for that position, employer rescinds offer before start date because a stronger candidate was located.	11	78.57%
F. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, employer rescinds offer before start date due to slow business.	4	28.57%
G. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, student reneges on offer before start date because another 'better' job offer arrived by pure happenstance.	3	21.43%
H. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, student continues to actively interview for other jobs, student reneges on offer before start date because another 'better' job offer was received.	9	64.29%
I. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, student reneges on offer after beginning pre-job paid training program because another 'better' job offer arrived by pure happenstance.	7	50.00%
J. Employer makes job offer to college student, student accepts job, student continues to actively interview for other jobs, student reneges on offer after beginning pre-job paid training program because another 'better' job offer was received.	11	78.57%
None of these represent unethical or dishonorable behavior.	1	7.14%
It depends on which one is me.	1	7.14%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

05-02-2005, 08:49 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2768491 VARSITY	Ethics and Honor - A Rain Man Rant Gol'dang it, I'm ticked off. We've implemented a very challenging and time consuming process to hire people in my firm, in an effort to get the people who are most likely to be successful. We implemented it last year, and it took us three months to find a strong candidate for a relatively quantitative position. It was a college student who was supposed to graduate in May, and we made her the offer in January, with the agreement that she would start part time in January and then go full time in May. Well, she's been working for us part time for four months, and was supposed to start full time two weeks from today. So what does she do today? She turns in her two-week notice. Her two-week notice! Now, if the job wasn't a fit, that's fine. But it was. She was doing good work for us, we all liked her, and she seemed to be genuinely interested in the work. She had a great future here. But get this: It turns out that she continued interviewing for jobs after she accepted our job offer, and she actually accepted a second job offer AFTER SHE WAS WORKING AT MY COMPANY. She then strung my firm along for who knows how long, letting us think that she was keeping her commitment to start full time after graduation, while knowing full well that she was going to screw us over on short notice. Now we're having a busy month, and the person that I've been working my schedule around to accommodate a part-time schedule is freaking quitting, RIGHT WHEN SHE HAD COMMITTED TO STEP UP. It ticks me off for about a thousand reasons. Dang it. What is wrong with people today? If someone treats you well, don't slam their fingers in the car door. Stupid people. I hate people. From here on out, I'm just hiring cats.
Posts: 141,871

05-02-2005, 09:51 PM	#63
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4568454	back off bookworm......The sound of that sissy bell will be drown out by the brand new, 1999 Trezelle Jenkins Rookie card in the spoke.
Posts: 61,567

05-02-2005, 09:54 PM	#64
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2768491 VARSITY	I can see that I have some good candidates here. Time to start lowballing and see who I can get the cheapest. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,871

05-02-2005, 09:56 PM	#67
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4568454	You get what you pay for. All Cheefs will be able to do is spell everything correctly on his resignation letter, a month after I accept something more lucrative. Furthermore, Cheefs goofs off too much online, whereas I can always be trusted to work studiously and uninterupted, while left alone with internet access. Besides, I've got a joke the BoD at Budweiser will LOVE.
Posts: 61,567

05-02-2005, 10:00 PM	#68
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2768491 VARSITY	[Donald Trump voice] Okay, my job here is to pick a new employee. It looks like I've got a lot of good candidates here, so we'll have a competition. Your first assignment: get a date for gochiefs. Whoever does worst gets fired from the competition. You've got 8 hours. On your mark, get set, go! [/Trump] __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,871

05-02-2005, 10:00 PM	#69
FallingAlice Starter Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10004900	If the above seems a bit cruel remember that revenge is a dish best served cold. There's nothing more satisfying than revenge achieved with the posture of care, concern and "coaching." This is the Bill Parcells school, natch. Tough love. One day she'll thank you for it? __________________ What would Brian Boitano do?
Posts: 254

05-02-2005, 10:01 PM	#72
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2768491 VARSITY	So you think that'll be more effective than my original plan of just hitting her, Falling Alice? Hmm. Maybe you have a point... __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,871

05-02-2005, 10:04 PM	#75
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9924975	I'm really a whole lot smarter than any of these other candidtaes. I just don't have any way of proving it. You'll just have to take my word for it. Oh, and what is this math thing you keep talking about? Is that like cyphering?
Posts: 7,907