Q–I worked for a company for 4 1/2 years. During this time, the owner said that I was his most important and efficient employee. He also promised me many different benefits: a 401(k) plan, profit sharing and monthly bonuses. He never comes through on any of his promises, so I accepted a job elsewhere. A short time after I left, the owner filed a criminal complaint against me for theft of company property. The detectives found that the charges were false so they closed the case. The problem is that I have been looking for another job, and this former employer is supplying false information to the prospective companies. What can I do?
A–Consult a lawyer immediately. This man is up to no good, and you already have enough facts to have a solid case against him. You may also want to stop interviewing for now so no more damage can be done.
Q–After five successful years working in sales on salary plus commission, the company removed the commission, which reduced my income by 50 percent. I complained and suggested ways of changing it, but after a full year of no one responding to me, I quit. I worked in another sales position for a man who had rude and unsociable habits, blew off appointments leaving me to explain his whereabouts to clients and left much of his work for me to do. After tolerating this for four years, I took a job that lasted one week because I was hired to replace a woman who hadn’t yet left. I then tolerated a job for a year where employees were allowed to shout, scream and swear, even to the clients. I then was hired by a non-profit to do filing and purchase-order processing. After my first week, I was told I was responsible for fundraising to the tune of $60,000. Are all employers this ridiculous or is this just a string of bad luck?
A–You may be too tolerant, which has caused you to waste time with companies where quitting was inevitable. In this new job search, ask enough questions so you get a feel for the company and its employees. For your resume, it bodes well for you that you stayed for up to four years in unpleasant environments, but don’t jump at the next job offer without evaluating the pros and cons.
Q–I work for a family-owned business, a Midwestern farming complex. The staff is large and we all live and work on the premises. We also all eat together in the same dining room. I am uncomfortable around cats. Recently, the owners (husband and wife) brought their new cat into the dining room to show it off. I was horrified. The next day they brought the cat to the office and let it wander around. When I saw this, I quietly closed my office door. The husband saw me do this and proceeded to scold me for my aversion to cats, inferring that my career will be limited because of it. I used to be good friends with them but that has changed. Any advice?
A–You have the right to close your office door while working regardless of the presence of a cat. But you should take the owner’s warning seriously. Acting horrified at the cat being carried into the dining room is a bit extreme. If you are worried about health issues, you have far greater chances to catch viruses and bacterial infections from the kitchen and wait staff, and from the people with whom you dine. To make amends with the owner on a personal and business level, you may want to acknowledge that your fear of cats might be irrational, but if he will be patient, you would try to get over it.
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Write to Lindsey Novak, Jobs, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 60611. E-mail her at AtWorkbyLN@aol.com.
