If your career is swimming along with no problems, count yourself among the fortunate few. Judging by the volume of calls coming in to the Jobs Problems Hot Line sponsored by Women Employed, a non-profit group that offers career development and advocacy programs, career problems are disturbingly widespread.
The Chicago organization`s hot line, which is open for five hours every Thursday, logged approximately 1,200 calls in 1991, according to Melissa Josephs, Women Employed policy advocate and hot-line coordinator.
Up to six volunteers-many of whom are law students interested in employment law-staff the hot line, which has been in operation since 1973. The counselors, who receive individual training and attend seminars about new legislation affecting working women, also provide callers with referrals from Women Employed`s resource lists.
”Most people who call have reached a point of frustration (in their careers),” says counselor Maria Morocco. ”They are at a point where they need to talk to somebody about what is happening to them.”
Morocco, who is also an associate copy editor for the American Bar Association Journal, says callers want information and common-sense advice,
”so they feel justified to go out there and fight back.”
Here is a sampling of commonly asked questions, along with suggested solutions from the hot-line staff:
– ”I`m pregnant and I`m worried I won`t have my job after my baby is born. Is there anything I can do?”
Josephs explains that if your company has a short-term disability policy, then by law your pregnancy should be treated no differently than any other short-term disability, such as a broken leg.
However, many smaller companies do not offer short-term disability policies, so you must rely on your boss to offer assurances you will have your job when you return after having the baby.
There are no guarantees, however, and Josephs says it`s hard to prove discrimination unless the company has a history of transferring or firing other pregnant employees.
Josephs advises pregnant women whose companies don`t have maternity policies to try to use sick leave time and vacation time to avoid going off the payroll.
– ”I`m a victim of sexual harassment. What can I do to stop it?”
The first step is to sit down with the harasser-even if it`s the boss-and spell out the problem, says Josephs. If that doesn`t work, go to a supervisor and your company`s personnel department to file a complaint.
Morocco advises victims of sexual harassment to keep a detailed, written log of the harassment to help jog your memory during any investigation.
Another step, to be taken if you find no satisfaction through the others, is to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.
The new Civil Rights Act, recently signed into law by President Bush, allows victims of intentional discrimination to sue for compensatory and punitive damages.
– ”I think I`ve been laid off or fired unfairly. Can I sue to get my job back?”
The answer in most cases is, unfortunately, no. Layoffs and firings are usually made at the discretion of the company, unless you can prove discrimination based on age, gender, race, national origin or religion.
”You must prove it (the termination) was illegal and not just unfair,”
says Josephs.
A lawsuit may be in order if you have a written contract with the employer or if the termination didn`t follow company policy.
– ”I just don`t like the way my boss treats me. Should I quit my job?”
Many callers simply don`t like their working conditions, says Morocco, and ”they are looking for a shoulder to lean on.” In many of these cases, listening is all the hot-line counselor can do.
”We always encourage people to communicate their problems to their supervisors,” says Josephs, who adds she no longer rushes to advise people to start a job search simply because they are unhappy.
Instead, Josephs tells people to ”consider how bad this recession is and don`t up and quit without having another source of income.”
The hot line accepts calls 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays. Call 312-782-3902.
LIFELINES
Bank marketing
The Bank Marketing Association, a professional organization for public-relations and marketing executives in banking and related fields, offers programs and a monthly newsletter. Annual dues: $295. 312-782-1442.
Cosmetology group
The Chicago Cosmetologists Association offers educational programs and bimonthly meetings to licensed hair stylists, skin-care professionals and nail technicians. Annual dues: $125. For more information call 312-644-6610.
Career help
Women Employed is a non-profit advocacy organization that provides career development programs for women. Annual dues: $25 to $45, depending on income. For details call 312-782-3902.
Dietitians` group
The American Dietetic Association includes dietitians working in all sectors. The group offers workshops and a monthly newsletter. Annual dues: $32 to $110, depending on job status. 312-899-0040.
Worker`s bookshelf
”Second Careers: New Ways to Work after 50,” by Caroline Bird (Little, Brown, $24.95); ”A Concise Dictionary of Business” (Oxford University Press, $8.95).
