Why Employer Bad Behavior is Getting Worse

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Because of the recession, this bad behaviour from employers is rampant. Employers are treating ordinary jobseekers badly because they feel they justified in doing this by laying on huge demands and generally exploiting and being bullyboys. When you go to an interview, you are also interviewing them, check everything the moment you walk into that building - do the other staff look happy? How does the employer make you feel? Do they seem trustworthy? etc.

bubblegum84 7:54AM April 12, 2012

I have run into another employer who was very-interested in interviewing me. The Manager was very kind. I respond a few minutes after in the email and the employer leaves me on a wire for almost four days.. no response. I called this afternoon and a friendly sounding employee says: "____ will be in soon. The Manager "___" will contact you when she comes in." Hours have passed.. I know already this company is crap. I am not impressed..
We go looking for a decent job. So it's expected to be treated in the same respect from an seemingly interested employer. :/

Keononin of MA 3:40PM February 15, 2012

Just be glad they showed their cards early. Employers treating job seekers like this are probably treating their employees worse. I am one of those employees. We've lost 8 staff within the past 2 years, and we are a staff of 12 people. The boss is now hiring and firing as he pleases (at will state) and we are a nonprofit! Paranoia, depression, anger and anxiety are increasing in the ranks.
Move on.

Julie of TX 6:22PM January 16, 2012

Blame shifting for post-interview lapses is the be-all and end-all of the school I was so excited to work at. The niceness of the interview was a total lie. There was a great deal not said that is weird compared to other schools--I have to buy my own paper for copies, etc. It's impossible.

Priory Reeve of LA 5:20PM October 23, 2011

Why would you slam a potential employer at the time of job offer? We rescind our offer. Take a hike, is what I would tell that particular new hire.
The author makes a point, but this is the norm everywhere in the US. In three months, I have submitted at least 300 or 400 applications, but have seen less than 10 decline letters or emails. Que sera sera. Scratch those guys off my list forever.
Who wants to work for a company that treats people that way BEFORE they're hired? I can only imagine how they treat their employees AFTER they're hired.
Yes, we have become a nation of complainers and many of those under 30 are lying and cheating their way through school, on resumes and on the job. I've seen it. I've worked at two mega size Fortune 200s.

S of VA 10:58AM April 22, 2010

The 45s and under have grown up in a culture where cheating and rudeness are the norm. I think those under about 25 or so experienced something of a backswing against that, but right there, the kids of the 70's and early 80's, are behind a lot of the current woes. Building on the outrages of the kids of the 60's and 50's, with their Me Generation attitudes, it just got worse for their younger sibs and kids.
There was some minor cheating when I was in school, but only by the "bad" kids. Still not much in grad school in the early 90's, but for kids in k-12 by that time, it was becoming a lot more accepted.
And then there was the whole "don't trust anyone over 30" thing, that often manifested itself in public rudeness. A lot of kids saw so much of that, and less and less traditional courtesy.
I think that there has been something of a backlash against both in the last decade or so, but a lot of damage has been done.

Tracey of IN 4:19PM April 13, 2010

High unemployment, the profound shifting of risk for healthcare and retirement funding from employer to employee, and the "poor behaviors" by (some) employers like those described in this article, are all related to a common cause. American voters bought the nutty notion birthed in the Reagan era of reducing taxes on corporations and their captains. Then American voters lost A LOT of power and now wonder what happened.
As for the author's last two paragraphs, I never heard anything quite so nutty in my life. Get a job offer and then "slam 'em" with questions designed to make them regret making the offer? Good grief. The answer to controlling corporations is in the people you elect, the taxes they enact (or don't) and the Supreme Court justices who are appointed (or not).

Muser of NM 1:14AM April 13, 2010

Why FedEx needs a UNION!!!
GO to YouTube, search word: FedEx Inhumane Treatment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YnbcCV2KI4

JC of KY 10:08PM April 12, 2010

I don't think the way companies are treating prospective hires is any different than they treat customers or workers. And that is with too little respect. I think it really comes from America's business schools which incorrectly schooled corporate leaders incorrectly over the past 30+ years. What they should have taught them was simply: treat others as you would want your children treated.
But instead they only see the bottom line in a short sighted way laughing all the way to the bank with their mega-paychecks, bonuses, stock options and gold plated severance packages.

M of FL 7:54PM April 12, 2010