What Did an Employer Say That Instantly Made You Regret Working for Them?
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Cringeworthy stuff.
Early in my first job out of college, I caught my new employer with a lie about what my working hours were — they were a lot more than what he first cited during my interview.
But I was young and eager and in dues-paying mode. A few extra hours didn’t deter me. I was energetic and wanted to make a positive impact and a good impression.
However, the most memorable interaction came when I later asked about benefits.
About two weeks into the job, I asked, “When can I sign up for dental insurance?” I had filled out paperwork for medical insurance and thought the dental forms might have gotten lost in the shuffle.
My boss, who was also the owner of the small firm, looked me dead in the eye, smirked, and then scoffed, “Dental insurance? Well, Adrian, dental insurance is for people with bad teeth.”
It was grandstanding at its finest and in front of nearly everyone else at the small firm. My boss was making a big deal of it because, as it turns out, the company was not offering what he promised.
I was a bit of a hothead back then. I lost any measure of professionalism for a moment and snapped back.
“What the hell do you think my teeth are going to be like in a year without dental insurance? Bad!”
He responded with silence.
At that moment, I knew I would be looking for a new job. Not just for the dental insurance, but also because of the lies.
Do you have a story from a previous employer that made you pause with the job hunter’s equivalent to buyer’s remorse? I would love to hear them in the comment section. Let’s learn from each other.
Also, please spread positive vibes by clapping and sharing this article with somebody!
Adrian S. Potter — the antisocial extrovert — is an author, engineer, consultant, and public speaker. When he’s not busy silently judging your beer selection or record collection, he writes poetry, short fiction, and articles on various subjects, including creativity, leadership, optimism, and personal growth. Adrian is the winner of the 2022 Lumiere Review Prose Award and the author of Field Guide to the Human Condition (CW Books) and Everything Wrong Feels Right (Portage Press). His next book, And the Monster Swallows You Whole, is forthcoming in May through Stillhouse Press. Visit Adrian at http://adrianspotter.com/. Say hi. He won’t bite.
