Equal Opportunity Employers; A Case In Point.

WARNING!!!!

Be careful when you pass or approach your mark. Be careful when you're having fun but you know deep inside, you've past your mark.

Look at your senior executives with a jaundice eye when you hit or are close to that mark-they'll look a little differently at you.

I saw a very good man get very angry once after having a meeting with a senior exec. My manager and I were having another meeting together when he told me that what was happening in the Sr. Exec. Office was very unethical. What was happening? Well, had they gone over the mark, the 40 year old mark. Now this is how the other managers were slowly being phased out and pushed out? This is where layers of managers are now being placed over you to slowly force you out; where you once had the ear of the CEO; no more - until? Well, you get the picture!

But what was happening to that person was that they were way over that mark. The person was 57 not 40 years old. So, what was the unethical thing for the largest aerospace manufacturer to do? Yes, lay them off with the whole bunch; that way you can't prove it. But guess what, aerospace has that history of discrimination towards older workers and my old manager was pissed and can prove it.

But, you say, why did the person get hired in the first place? Because, the manager couldn't find a 'person' or a person 'like that person'. He searched for 'that person'; then told HR, that this was the exact match that he wanted. He said, he just could not find the quality of person he was looking for from the inside. Inside was lithargic. They needed that person from the outside. End of story.

You young guys might think it's all about skills, abilities and qualifications...well, ya! This person has it, but don't go there; it's not.
That person has had all that and much, much more; ever bask momentarily as a Senior Chief Executive Officer; that person has and it's got alot of fantastic highs, headaches and heart-attacks; seriously though, that person was there and did that too.

Or, you might think it's all about not being able to get along or smooze; don't go there; it's not.

Or, perhaps the old guy, is too tired and doesn't know how to express his interpersonal skills; don't go there; it's not.

In fact, that [person] has a 'stage presence which is remarkable. Having been trained on Broadway stages; Las Vegas stages; Hollywood stages; American Tours throughout cities and good 'ol New Orleans; it just does not make sense; so don't go there either; it's not that.

Well, after March 15, 2003 that person's life has turned upside down. 40 months later; now 61 years old, soon to be 62 in January '07, human resource supervisors actually go through the effort of not placing this person in final interviews. A recruiter from Seattle in confidence told that person that their profile intimidates people. Perhaps, it does; but if you're looking for the cream; how then does the person disquise the 'cream'?

I know somebody out there probably has another theory just waiting to blast this story apart, but here goes. OK?! There are Federal guidelines which today are all paper and show; which do not mean a damn thing anymore. You know those government jobs or school districts especially, they ask for your profile, whether you served in the Armed Forces - Yes. Vietnam Era 1962 to 1968. Well, guess what - that's supposed to give this person 5 more extra points and when you know for a surety that you meet 99% of ALL the requirements asked and don't get that interview; something smells fishy.

So, later down the road; in another story, as it goes - there is proof that a human resource supervisor in a certain school district is a liar. Don't worry pal, my wife, who by the way is 'Who's Who in American Business Executives', knows that if it's an inhouse person that's fine, but they shouldn't have the cutoff date at the same time. It's supposed to be - if we don't find somebody inhouse then we go outside. That's the way it has always been. But now, to cheat - what bastards - unethical, bastards. Not good news for that person to actually find out the truth.

Now that we're coming to a close here, I hope the picture is crystal clear. It is better for them (school district) not to even have that person in the final interview - no worries on their part pertaining to any back lash issues - it's the cheating that gets to me (author of article). For you guys that still think maybe this person didn't have the skills for the job - forget it, they have it and more - school districts are notoriously unscrupulous when it comes to the inhouse thing - here's what you can do; prove this article wrong.

Oh, one final bit that I know most of my readers have not experienced, 'non-placement' because of your last name. Of course, this is another but compelling story. Have you had that happen to you? My friend has while serving his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. The EOO (equal opportunity officer) told that person that the reason that person was not getting the so and so 'was because of that person's last name.'

As the story moves along, that person asked him why he didn't do something about it? He just replied. "Are you crazy, I'd loose my job, then." Previously, that person had an excellent recommendation from the President of The Board (he was 'white'); that was interviewing (hiring) for an officer appointment. But could it have been the Commander of the 82nd that made those very unethical statements, or someone in his office who hammered down the gavel once and for all? Don't worry! The person whom I refer to was born half German (Caucasian) and half Filipino (Asian) and feels and know's of the limits of each race that they are. Although, as that person continues to tell the story; they believe that the 'white side' has alot of growing to do, especially in terms of humility and compassion. The 'white side' lacks this, unless your predicament is different; most 'white' parents taught their children to be and act superior to people of color.

Hope you are different, man! Especially, in Business when honoring the EOE. So, for 'that person' and more; remember there are a thousand stories that are true and never reach the light of day. I understand perhaps a little of what they go through because of emphathy - I will say - compassion is another great virtue to cherish.

Get It? This is Business and we must deal with those issues as Executives, Managers, and Human Resource Specialists.