Big Pimpin'

Hi Alyse,

I just started working at a popular clothing store. Most of our customers are between 16 and 24 years old and a lot of our customers are guys come in and buy our Jean. My boss recently gave my number to one of the customers after he agreed to buy $200 worth of clothing. Later my boss started calling me at home to tell me to wear sexy dress before I came in to work because there were a lot of men in the store. I don't know whether he is my pimp or my boss!

Pimped in Joliet, IL

Hi Pimped,

Your boss’s behavior is illegal. He has violated several employment laws and you need to begin by documenting his behavior. You should, of course, remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible, giving out your phone number puts you in a potentially dangerous situation. If your company has a human resources department, they should be made aware of the situation but not before you contact an attorney. Unfortunately, when presented with this type of miscreant behavior, companies and/or human resource departments will try to make it seem as though you are a problem employee. That is why it is important to document all occurrences, including phone calls and speak with an attorney before notifying the company. Also be sure to keep all copies of your positive performance/sales reviews and don’t do anything that might later be used against you. Pimpin’ is illegal and you don’t have to take it.

~Over the last three years I’ve been broke, dumped and pimped.~ Toni Braxton

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“A” is for Attractive

Hi Alyse,

I'm not jobseeker but I am a recruiter looking for advice. One of my clients has consistently said to me that he is looking for, "A" candidates. After sending in a number of candidates I now understand that, "A", stands for attractive. I can send in highly qualified candidates and they will be rejected not because of appearance but because of attractiveness. I can send in dimwits who score a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 (in attractiveness), and they get the job every time. Some of the highly qualified candidates don't understand why they didn't get the job and I still haven't figured out what to tell them. What do I do?

Troubled in Seattle, WA

Hi Troubled,

You do have a dilemma, how do you fill positions based on qualifications when the hiring manager seems to be interested in physical attributes? I don't know how long you have been in the business but hiring managers come and go. You do want to continue sending in a variety of candidates, including the highly qualified ones. You want to make sure that you continue to conduct yourself and your business with the highest level of integrity. With respect to your candidates, be sure to let them know prior to the interview process that there are a myriad of factors that will determine whether or not they are made an offer. If you set their expectations properly and suggest that the hiring manager is a tough sell then the candidate will not be so upset when they do not move on in the process or if they do not receive an offer. There's also nothing wrong with letting the candidates know that their grooming can make a difference. Advising the gentleman to dress professionally, obtain fresh haircuts and advising the women to also dress professionally will allow you to put your candidates in the best possible position for getting the job. In the meantime, I would also suggest that you continue to look for other clients who appreciate the highly qualified candidate and not just the attractive one.

~ Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. ~ Sophia Loren

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Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Hi Alyse,

I work for a private education company that serves children. My boss is a real "results oriented" type of boss. I've been working here for three months and I'm starting to understand that he always wants me to report positive results. He hasn't come out and said so but I think he wants me to lie about how well the kids are doing. I'm not that kind of person and I haven't made any numbers but what do I do if we get to the point where he asks me to lie?

Moral dilemma in Alpharetta, GA

Hi Moral,

You are in a situation unfortunately shared by many people. On the one hand, given that you've only been there three months, you want to please your boss and be an asset to the organization. On the other hand, it looks like being an asset means compromising your values. This is the situation you will have to remove yourself from. Data manipulation is fraud and depending on whom is receiving this manipulated data, can be considered a crime. If you are the one who actually manipulates the data, if your employer says that you did so without provocation and against company policy, you may be liable. Since your boss has not expressed to you directly that he wants you to lie, then ignore the innuendos and continue to provide accurate data. In order to protect yourself, you should also bcc yourself on e-mail and print out copies of them. Whenever you supply the data, also keep a copy for yourself and note when you supplied the accurate data. In the event that you are asked directly to manipulate data, your answer is no.

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world. ~Thomas Carlyle

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