A dilemma: hiring someone who brings his mother to the interview [Archive]

shemp

16th March 2006, 10:05 PM

On Monday, our company hired a guy who brought his mother to the interview. (I had no input in this.) (And no, Ny, he DIDN'T wear a suit!) The guy who hired him is a very nice guy, but is about 20 cards shy of a full deck, and shouldn't be in a position to hire or fire anyone. He once hired a guy for a proofreading position who failed (twice!) the test for the position, because "he's a nice guy and needs a job real bad." The guy washed out after a few months and costing us tens of thousands of dollars in reprints.

I can't stand my job anymore. I am surrounded by idiots, nitwits, morons and mental defectives. These adjectives also liberally apply to almost all of our clients. I estimate that about 40% of the people at our company know what they're doing and do it well. The other 60% fall into one or more of the above categories. There is no management to speak of. The owner is absent 95% of the time, mainly because he is heavily immersed in his religion (Judaism). Instead of putting a General Manager in charge, he put together a committee to run the place. Of course, this leads either to no decision-making, or to conflicting decision-making, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

I think we hire just about anyone who comes in off the street, unless they are qualified. One guy I worked with in the 80's sent in his resume recently. I told the guy who hires that this man is very well qualified, intelligent and would be an asset to our company. (All true.) He didn't even get an interview. Instead, they hire kids cheaply and expect us to train them, when we can find time, which is next to impossible because all the knowledgable people are working 60-80 hour weeks trying to make up for all the idiots.

I'm going to go get some sleep now. Maybe I'll get lucky and a train will crash through my bedroom.

TragicMonkey

16th March 2006, 10:08 PM

Well, what do you mean, "brought his mother"? Did she just give him a ride, then wait in the lobby? Or did she come in there with him into the interview?

shemp

16th March 2006, 10:11 PM

Well, what do you mean, "brought his mother"? Did she just give him a ride, then wait in the lobby? Or did she come in there with him into the interview?

She came in, sat with him, took a tour of the place with him, etc., the whole nine yards.

Cylinder

16th March 2006, 10:12 PM

I guess I'll have to be the one to ask...

Did she put out?

TragicMonkey

16th March 2006, 10:12 PM

She came in, sat with him, took a tour of the place with him, etc., the whole nine yards.

Freaky!

Pauliesonne

16th March 2006, 10:13 PM

How old is he....

shemp

16th March 2006, 10:15 PM

I guess I'll have to be the one to ask...

Did she put out?

I'll ask the hiring guy.

shemp

16th March 2006, 10:16 PM

How old is he....

I would guess between 21-25, inclusive.

shemp

16th March 2006, 10:17 PM

Freaky!

Yeah, several of us feel that way. I don't know whether the guy is qualified or not, but it sure doesn't make us feel good about the direction in which our company is going.

ARubberChickenWithAPulley

16th March 2006, 10:27 PM

I can't stand my job anymore. I am surrounded by idiots, nitwits, morons and mental defectives.

You work for the government too?

Ryokan

16th March 2006, 10:28 PM

I am surrounded by idiots, nitwits, morons and mental defectives.

Welcome to planet Earth.

Zep

16th March 2006, 11:41 PM

Did the guy speak English?

Oleron

17th March 2006, 12:02 AM

My colleagues are all so stupid. I get a headache just thinking down to their level.

Reminds me of the Blackadder quote:

Percy: I must say, Edmund, it was jolly nice of you to ask me to share your breakfast before the rigours of the day begin.
Blackadder: Well, it is said, Percy, that civilised man seeks out good and intelligent company, so that, through learned discourse, he may rise above the savage and closer to God.
Percy: Yes, I've heard that.
Blackadder: Personally, however, I like to start the day with a total dickhead to remind me I'm best.

BTW, Happy St Pats's day everyone!

Manny

17th March 2006, 05:45 AM

I guess I'll have to be the one to ask...

Did she put out?ROFL! Even before I opened the thread my question was, "Well, was she a MILF?"

And why didn't she make that slacker son of hers buy a suit?

Skeptic

17th March 2006, 05:50 AM

I think we hire just about anyone who comes in off the street, unless they are qualified.

Hellllllooooooooo, new .sig line.

El Greco

17th March 2006, 06:18 AM

I say hire his mother. You know that she can take care of at least two persons.

shemp

17th March 2006, 07:02 AM

I think we hire just about anyone who comes in off the street, unless they are qualified.

Hellllllooooooooo, new .sig line.

"I think we will hire anyone who walks off the street, unless they are qualified" --Shemp

You have misquoted me. I will sue you for damages unless you correct it and pay me one oiled goat.

shemp

17th March 2006, 07:03 AM

I say hire his mother. You know that she can take care of at least two persons.

Are you implying that she's a goer, eh, know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink?

shemp

17th March 2006, 07:05 AM

Welcome to planet Earth.

I think I implied that I am surrounded by idiots, nitwits, morons and mental defectives, more so than normal.

Dcdrac

17th March 2006, 07:05 AM

I would find another employer ASAP

shemp

17th March 2006, 07:06 AM

ROFL! Even before I opened the thread my question was, "Well, was she a MILF?"

And why didn't she make that slacker son of hers buy a suit?

Maybe he needs the job so he can buy a suit to wear to another interview for a better job.

shemp

17th March 2006, 07:09 AM

I would find another employer ASAP

Yeah, jobs doing what I do and that pay reasonably well just grow on trees. At most of our competitors, many jobs have already been outsourced. I'm just trying to hang on as long as I can because I know that there isn't anything out there that pays reasonably well. The one good thing about this job is that I'm getting paid well for what I do.

zenith-nadir

17th March 2006, 07:26 AM

Anyone who brings his mother into an interview should raise a huge red flag for the recruiter. Will mommy be there on a daily basis or only when the pressure is on?

I too work with alot of talented people and alot of people who I wonder "how the hell did they get the job?". But then again you look at the Katrina response or the White House and its vetting process regarding Bernard Kerrick and nothing surprizes me these days.

Its not what you know, it's who ya blow... ;)

Dcdrac

17th March 2006, 07:55 AM

What do you do Shemp?

NoZed Avenger

17th March 2006, 09:04 AM

Was the mother wearing a suit?

Jocko

17th March 2006, 09:12 AM

She came in, sat with him, took a tour of the place with him, etc., the whole nine yards.

Better than you bringing your parole officer, though, wouldn't you agree?

Alliebubs

17th March 2006, 09:34 AM

Better than you bringing your parole officer, though, wouldn't you agree?

Meh. That's a toss-up. ;)

Jorghnassen

17th March 2006, 10:47 AM

So you're telling me his mom did not make him wear a suit for an interview? That's unpossible!

Zbu

17th March 2006, 02:46 PM

Shemp, considering the utter void of direction or leadership, I would just say that unless you get paid by the hour, I just wouldn't put any worthwhile work into this job. Seriously, if people are this stupid, then why stress yourself out. I say go in at nine, punch out at five regardless of the work, and just wait for the inevitable: job loss or retirement.

I mean, why stress yourself out over something that you cannot control? I say milk them dry and don't do a damn bit of work. When a job is going under, there's just no use anymore. Ride it until it dies, but don't care that it does die.

Jocko

17th March 2006, 02:55 PM

CapelDodger

17th March 2006, 04:03 PM

Shemp, considering the utter void of direction or leadership, I would just say that unless you get paid by the hour, I just wouldn't put any worthwhile work into this job.There's a personal satisfaction in getting it done, whatever it is, against the gale. If you start to feel like doing a half-assed job anyway, it's time to cash out and move into the VW Microbus.

(edited for typo)

CapelDodger

17th March 2006, 04:06 PM

Better than you bringing your parole officer, though, wouldn't you agree?Worse than your shrink. Worst of all, I guess, would be mother, shrink, and mother's shrink.

shemp : I'm getting into profiling - was this guy Italian?

Withnail

17th March 2006, 04:35 PM

I once hired a guy that came into the interview room with his mother. It was at a movie theater and we needed ushers. Not a mentally demanding job to say the least but this guy really needed mom for that extra push. He was obviously a little "slow" but I figured what the heck, it's sweeping!

Here is gets good. His first few days go by uneventful. Then we get a giant box of giant muffins in the break room. I foolishly tell him to help himself. Half an hour later I see him in the lobby with a muffin in both hands and three in his tucked shirt. I tell him the can't be carrying those while on the floor, so he shoves the two in his hand into this mouth. He then thinks the others are safely hidden and tries to walk away. I let him.

Okay, so that was a little strange, but then it's payday. He shows for his check before his shift and leaves. An hour into his shift, he is a no show, but his father shows up. He proceeds to tell me that under no circumstances am I to give "Reggie" his check, as he will wander thru the city (Seattle), spend all his money on candy, and disappear for weeks. Oops, too late.

Now for the best part. That weekend I am driving around the city near the Space Needle, and who do I see walking down the sidewalk? Reggie! Still wearing his theater uniform with a giant bag of candy in his hand! I screamed out the window, "Reggie, you rock!" He gave me the thumbs up and kept walking with a huge smile on his face.

Crazytree

17th March 2006, 06:01 PM

Worse than your shrink. Worst of all, I guess, would be mother, shrink, and mother's shrink.

shemp : I'm getting into profiling - was this guy Italian?
I'm guessing skinny Jewish kid.:confused:

Beerina

17th March 2006, 07:34 PM

shemp

17th March 2006, 10:57 PM

Worse than your shrink. Worst of all, I guess, would be mother, shrink, and mother's shrink.

shemp : I'm getting into profiling - was this guy Italian?

Actually, yes. So is the hiring guy.

gtc

18th March 2006, 01:49 AM

Was the mother related in any way to the hiring guy or his boss?

Tmy

18th March 2006, 05:49 AM

I can't stand my job anymore. I am surrounded by idiots, nitwits, morons and mental defectives. These adjectives also liberally apply to almost all of our clients. I estimate that about 40% of the people at our company know what they're doing and do it well. The other 60% fall into one or more of the above categories. There is no management to speak of. The owner is absent 95% of the time, mainly because he is heavily immersed in his religion (Judaism). Instead of putting a General Manager in charge, he put together a committee to run the place. Of course, this leads either to no decision-making, or to conflicting decision-making, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

I think we hire just about anyone who comes in off the street, unless they are qualified. One guy I worked with in the 80's sent in his resume recently. I told the guy who hires that this man is very well qualified, intelligent and would be an asset to our company. (All true.) He didn't even get an interview. Instead, they hire kids cheaply and expect us to train them, when we can find time, which is next to impossible because all the knowledgable people are working 60-80 hour weeks trying to make up for all the idiots.

.

Heres examples why we have affirmative action. Theres a fallacy that employers hire the "best qualified" person. In reality its more about who you know or some intangible/irrelevent connection you make with person doing the hiring.

shemp

18th March 2006, 07:15 AM

Was the mother related in any way to the hiring guy or his boss?

Not that I know of.

TruthSeeker

18th March 2006, 07:37 AM

Why is his being Italian relevant?

schplurg

18th March 2006, 12:22 PM

Heres examples why we have affirmative action. Theres a fallacy that employers hire the "best qualified" person. In reality its more about who you know or some intangible/irrelevent connection you make with person doing the hiring. Just how does Affirmative Action ensure the best qualified person gets the job?

Tmy

18th March 2006, 02:35 PM

Just how does Affirmative Action ensure the best qualified person gets the job?

I didnt say it did. What it does is combat many of the bias and hurdles to job placement.

Look at the opening post. Guys are hired or should be hired cause He seemed like a nice guy or because he knows so and so. Thats how most hiring is done. Even if you can actually have "most qualified" criteria its not al that relevent to the hiring process.

Smart_Cookie

18th March 2006, 02:40 PM

On Monday, our company hired a guy who brought his mother to the interview. (I had no input in this.) (And no, Ny, he DIDN'T wear a suit!) .

Maybe Mom wanted to be sure he got the job, so she could kick him out as soon as he got a paycheque or two. :)

CapelDodger

18th March 2006, 02:49 PM

Actually, yes. So is the hiring guy.
I would like it noted that I spotted the first part before I was apprised of the second. Cynicism did not apply, merely what is clearly a remarkable talent of mine. Sylvia, eat your heart out.

kittynh

18th March 2006, 03:06 PM

Italy has a serious problem. IT was on "60 MInutes" I think...

Sarah Jessica Parker actually said in an interview that her new movie is inspired by the Italian problem.

It is, Italian men living at home with mommy, into their 30's and beyond. NOthing like seeing a mom in her 70's and even 80's getting up early to make her "baby" breakfast. Then taking him lunch at work. Many of these men even own homes, but still live at home, because who can get such good help for free?

The problem for Italy as a whole is that Italian women won't marry these men. (and become mommy slaves themselves) and the population rate is dropping dramatically. The Italian government is actually looking into it, because Italian culture as a whole is in danger of dying out.

HOwever, it should be noted my brother has a darling Greek wife. Every day when my husband comes home from work he walks across the street to his in laws house, where his mother in law has dinner waiting for him. So, hey, if I had someone making me dinner every night, I'd probably love it!

kittynh

18th March 2006, 03:07 PM

for goodness sake....hire me, I live close by right?

CapelDodger

18th March 2006, 03:15 PM

Just how does Affirmative Action ensure the best qualified person gets the job?
The only affirmative action necessary is in Human Resources. Pack them deliberately with minorities. Women and such. They won't favour their own "kind" lest they fail, and thereby screw their own profile. On the other hand, they don't have the preconceptions or networks of the majority. Merit comes into its own, or at least the angle of the playing-field is reduced.

I'm for meritocracy myself. Let me leave you with this thought : in a meritocracy, Bush Minor would never have been President. Of anything. (Gratuitously contentious, I know, but we Irish are a bit fired-up after defeating England, we Italians are not unmanned by Scotland's victory and we Scots are brothers to worthy opponents, and we Welsh were not emasculated by the French like we expected. And the English lost. Poor bloody English, so far from God and so far from anybody that really likes you.)

shemp

3rd April 2006, 09:47 AM

Update: The guy turned in his notice after just 2 weeks. Said he's going back to school.

Gravy

4th April 2006, 01:18 AM

Why is his being Italian relevant?

Momma's Boys. I'm guessing Argentinian.

I once walked an interviewee out the front door and found her boyfriend urinating on the building, right next to the door. In broad daylight.

Gravy

4th April 2006, 01:22 AM

Update: The guy turned in his notice after just 2 weeks. Said he's going back to school.

Home schooling, no doubt.

BPSCG

4th April 2006, 04:04 AM

Update: The guy turned in his notice after just 2 weeks. Said he's going back to school.Questions:

How did he do in his two weeks with you?
Did he bring his mom to work with him?

shemp

4th April 2006, 06:28 AM

Questions:

How did he do in his two weeks with you?
Did he bring his mom to work with him?

1. He didn't seem to be able to pick up the stuff we were trying to teach him.

2. No.

shemp

4th April 2006, 06:30 AM

Home schooling, no doubt.

No, he's going to MIT to finish his Ph.D. in Physics. :rolleyes:

NoZed Avenger

4th April 2006, 08:41 AM

Update: The guy turned in his notice after just 2 weeks. Said he's going back to school.

How's the Mom working out?

Gaga

4th April 2006, 08:55 AM

Italy has a serious problem. IT was on "60 MInutes" I think...
oookay.. Italy has atm several problems, this one being on of the smaller and probably a consequence of the others
It is, Italian men living at home with mommy, into their 30's and beyond. NOthing like seeing a mom in her 70's and even 80's getting up early to make her "baby" breakfast. Then taking him lunch at work. Many of these men even own homes, but still live at home, because who can get such good help for free?
that's not exactly precise -speaking form personal experience here, but I might try to gather some datas.
There are a lot of people on the their late 20s or early 30s living at home. Most of the unmarried people I know do. Among them there is only one that could get out but don't do it because of his lazyness. The others just cannot afford to do it because the rents in my area are nearly as their wages of apprentices, precarious workers, etc.
I left as soon as I could sustain myself without having a day AND a night job and personally I would trade my freedom for having to cook/ clean / wash anytime... but not for the risk of getting back to the parents' home or becoming a beggar :(
...snip... The Italian government is actually looking into it, ...snip...the Italian government would not find his butt while looking into his own pants, so I'm not particularly optimistic abt it...