Ethics and Honor - A Rain Man Rant - Page 7

**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.

Hammock Parties · 05-02-2005, 10:49 PM

I'm actually a decent date. I don't talk about myself too much and I'm a good listener.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

I'm actually a decent date. I don't talk about myself too much and I'm a good listener.

Can you do math? Do you need a job?

Hammock Parties · 05-02-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Can you do math? Do you need a job?

Yes. Yes. Unfortunately I can't afford a commute of more than 30 minutes.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

Yes. Yes. Unfortunately I can't afford a commute of more than 30 minutes.

Generally, when someone gets a job in another state, they move to that state instead of commuting from their old state. Just another job hunting tip brought to you by your friends at Rain Man Consulting.

stevieray · 05-02-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Generally, when someone gets a job in another state, they move to that state instead of commuting from their old city. Just another job hunting tip brought to you by your friends at Rain Man Consulting.

all you gotta do is offer up your soul. i bet the debil is good at math..you know... human numbers...

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 11:15 PM

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, Endelt. It's really got almost nothing to do with the job itself. It's more basic than that.

stevieray · 05-02-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, Endelt. It's really got almost nothing to do with the job itself. It's more basic than that.

It's the damn principle, she could've given you fair warning...

she chop blocked you bad.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2005, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

It's the damn principle, she could've given you fair warning...

she chop blocked you bad.

I think she broke both bones in my lower leg. Unfortunately, it's legal.

**cdcox** · 05-02-2005, 11:35 PM

Some of my students have been in a similar situation where they are considering reneging on an accepted job offer. I always advise them that it is unethical and ask them how they would feel if the company kept interviewing for a better candidate.

I had one graduate student that I brought all the way to the US from China to work on one of my research contracts. Took about 5 mos to get him here, lots of hassle for me, and without my offer he would still be stuck in China. He was here one semester and then was off to another university. Man, did I feel used. I told him how unfair it was to me in no uncertain terms. I was in rant mode for about a day, trying to decide if it was worthwhile to contact the other school to let them know what a low life scum he was. But he really wasn't a very dedicated student, and I decided that it was probably a blessing in disguise. STILL, GGGGRRRRRRRRRR. I finally had to just let the anger die because it was non-productive.

Hammock Parties · 05-02-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

That shouldn't be iquiring minds?

Careful, Rain Main... I think this might be a mail-order English degree.

Or perhaps...inquiring minds.

Logical · 05-02-2005, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, I'd have no problem if she had received the offers simultaneously and just gone for (presumably) more money.

Truthfully, if she had come to me in February or even March and told me that she'd already had an interview scheduled when she accepted my offer, I wouldn't have been too ticked off. I'm just ticked off that she rode the Rain Man gravy train for a few extra months instead of letting me know so I could start looking for a replacement.

I have a lot of sympathy for everything you have posted on the subject except this one. Unless a person is stupid they are not going to take a high risk gamble and tell an employer they have different employment that will start in four months. If you want an employee that would do that, you want stupid people working for you.

Hammock Parties · 05-03-2005, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Yeah, you got me. I blew it.

FWIW, that catch is better than the Chippendale's one. That one was pretty obvious... I thought of it while typing the post and hoped for something more creative to show up in response.

Owned!

Logical · 05-03-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Goshdamnit, Johnson! If you're gonna make a post making fun of someone's spelling, at least spell the goshdarned thing right!

Damn you, vodka and Kahlua!

Vodka an Kahlua, ewww. Sounds like a real nightmare barf could be in your future.

Hammock Parties · 05-03-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Eh, you got a couple dipshits to fellate you for it. I can't hate.

I don't see anyone fellating. Did I miss something? Vlad deleted his post.

Logical · 05-03-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

I don't see anyone fellating. Did I miss something? Vlad deleted his post.

Yes, yes I did. Duplicating your thought pattern was just too disturbing.

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: 141,870

05-02-2005, 10:49 PM	#91
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4160478	I'm actually a decent date. I don't talk about myself too much and I'm a good listener. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 279,743

05-02-2005, 11:15 PM	#96
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2768491 VARSITY	Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, Endelt. It's really got almost nothing to do with the job itself. It's more basic than that. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,870

05-02-2005, 11:35 PM	#99
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2021769	Some of my students have been in a similar situation where they are considering reneging on an accepted job offer. I always advise them that it is unethical and ask them how they would feel if the company kept interviewing for a better candidate. I had one graduate student that I brought all the way to the US from China to work on one of my research contracts. Took about 5 mos to get him here, lots of hassle for me, and without my offer he would still be stuck in China. He was here one semester and then was off to another university. Man, did I feel used. I told him how unfair it was to me in no uncertain terms. I was in rant mode for about a day, trying to decide if it was worthwhile to contact the other school to let them know what a low life scum he was. But he really wasn't a very dedicated student, and I decided that it was probably a blessing in disguise. STILL, GGGGRRRRRRRRRR. I finally had to just let the anger die because it was non-productive.
Posts: 45,546