Thread by @humanworkplace

In the worst case I’ve heard about (so far) a woman was asked to design a four-hour workshop as “part of the hiring process.” First they wanted to see the outline. Then they wanted the slides. Finally they asked her to come in and present the workshop – for four hours, unpaid.

The employer was a state university. They were launching a new Institute and she was interviewing to be the executive director. She had misgivings, but she went. When she arrived to present the workshop, the room was full. She asked the attendees about themselves.

They were paid attendees from the school and local community. They paid money to hear her speak but she did not get paid to create or present. There was also no one in the room who was part of the hiring decision. She presented the workshop.

As she packed up and prepared to leave, someone from the hiring committee walked in. How did it go? they asked. It was great, but I don’t know how this could be part of the hiring process when there was no one from the search committee in the workshop, she said.

Don’t worry, said the staff person. We are going to collect feedback from the participants. How can you charge a fee for people to attend a workshop that I am not being paid to present? she asked. If we are going to launch this institute we have to have funding, said the staffer.

As the disgusted job seeker walked toward the door the search committee rep said, Is your presentation on that thumb drive in your hand? You can just leave it on the table.

(She didn’t. She left without a word - and never heard from them again.)