HR Undercover

We work with clients to hire for many different positions — from C-Level leadership all the way to production staff.

One of our assessments, commonly used for hourly positions, measures basic things like productivity, ability to get along with others, and likelihood of turnover. The assessment takes only 10 minutes to complete.

Our client had a candidate come in and apply for an hourly position. After they filled out the application, the candidate was asked to take the assessment, and then wait in the lobby. The results came through to the hiring manager immediately. The candidate scored a 1 out of 10 in the “getting along with others” category. The hiring manager invited the candidate back to ‘wrap up’ the process. When it was explained that they reviewed the application and felt that this role was not a good fit, the candidate literally lunged across the desk in anger at the hiring manager.

The hiring manager called us after the interview was over and expressed great relief at being able to predict this type of outcome before it was too late.

Like many small towns, we love our minor league baseball here, and I was lucky enough to land a job working in the front office.   Since we’re a small club, some of my duties extend to outdoor maintenance, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to be outside to watch the games.  Game days are always special; the air is filled with the smell of roasting hot dogs and the sound of future ball players yelling, “Hey batter, batter, swing.”  On one afternoon, a particularly threatening sky didn’t do much to dampen fan enthusiasm, but the eventual rainfall told me there would be a delay.  I knew our ground crew was a bit short staffed and would need my help pulling the tarp over the turf.  I’m not necessarily a strong woman, but I’m pretty fit and thought I could be of help, I mean it’s just a tarp, must be like making a bed, right?  Little did I realize that “man down” means nothing when it comes to covering the field, in fact, every man for himself seemed to be the prevailing motto.

In a downpour, I found myself at the upper end of the tarp, smack in the middle dragging it across a soggy field.  The rain was pummeling down, the turf was slick and SPLASH, down I go, losing my grip and instantly being covered.  Well, imagine what’s running through my head, “should I just stay put and maybe no one will notice?” or should I inch my way through and out an inconspicuous corner?”  I decided the latter was the most sound choice (we do experience flash flooding and getting swept away to save what little dignity I had left didn’t seem a good trade-off).  As I was just about to make my escape, confident I was only inches away from going unnoticed, our announcer shouts, “MARCO.”  What choice did I have?  Out I flew from underneath the tarp hearlding, “POLO.”

One of our most competent and well-liked employees was killed in a car accident. His two hundred co-workers contributed over $15,000 and gave it to the employee’s fiancé. A week after his death, she delivered his baby son. It was the saddest work experience of my life, but I was so proud of everyone’s generosity.

One of my recruiters told me that the software tester whom we had just hired asked if she could speak with me in private. Although her name was not familiar to me, I agreed to meet with her. She reminded me that, several years before, I had interviewed her for a software testing position for which she had no experience. I had apparently suggested a few things she could do to gain that experience. She heard my name during the interview process, and knew she had to thank me for taking time to counsel her, thus giving her a whole new career. It was one of those moments that makes me grateful to have chosen the field of HR.

I was working as a Labor Relations Director for a large, multi-state telecommunications company which stressed safety and safe driving practices at all times. In one of our remote, rural districts we had a 2 man line crew who did not properly park their $120,000 line truck. As a result of their actions, the truck ended sliding down a slope and eventually down a steep embankment and was totaled. Trying to be lenient and taking into account their overall performance, the company decided on 4 day suspensions for both employees without pay. The union was furious and filed an immediate grievance. At the final step of the process, I personally flew there to discuss the matter. I was in the conference room when a large (6′5″ and 300 pounds), loud and belligerent local lineman, who also served as the union’s shop steward, came in with a stack of files and threw them down on the table while glaring at me. I looked at him carefully, saw that he was blowing smoke out of his nostrils and eardrums and then I saw his T shirt. Standing in front of me, shoving his chest out, he had on a black shirt with a bright gold lightening bolt emblazoned on the front with the words “Matanuska Thunderfuck” spelled out in big, bold red letters. Well, that was quite a greeting and needless to say, we did not resolve the matter in that meeting. Later, in a subsequent arbitration hearing, the issue was finally decided in the company’s favor. And somewhere down the road, the lineman and I eventually became friends and were able to take care of our problems locally.

Five years after selling his privately held company, the principle partner hosted a reunion for anyone who ever worked for him. This was an all expense paid trip to an out of state resort where the 75+ people from across the country enjoyed incredible hospitality, food, live music, recreational opportunities – just for him to say thank you. What a wonderful, generous person!