As my planned career in Neon is going nowhere, I decided to try to return to my former trade of woodworking.
My Voc Rehab counselor told me that her office had placed someone at an company in SLC. She called them asked if they were still hiring, they said yes, so my counselor arranged for an Sign Interpreter to be there today for the application/interview process.
We arrived in time as planned. I filled out the usual paperwork. Then the HR person came out to meet us. We said hello and introduced ourselves.
As we were going to the interview room, the HR person asked me if I could read lips. I was kind of prepared for that, and told her I could probably only understand 10% or so of lipreading. The HR person did not comment, but I sensed she probably could/would not believe that.
The HR person, the Interp and I sat down, and we went thru the usual interview questions. All seemed normal and fair until this:
The HR person said they already have one Hearing Impaired person working with them whom does not sign. I said ok… Then the HR person said: “I will have to talk to the Shop Foreman/Supervisor to see if they are willing to accomodate you” (THAT is me, Steve!)
I was taken aback. Even the Interp told me privately that what the HR person just said was ILLEGAL.
It took much effort for me to control myself. I felt after I left later that I should have educated them, or at least told them I was offended, and made an argument and asked to see the company president.
I then asked the HR person if we could take a walk thru tour of the shop. She said OK and went to get ear plugs and protective glasses for all of us (required buy insurance).
After the Interp and HR person put the glasses on and the ear plugs in- I teased the both of them and did not sign but spoke normally (trying not to let them read my lips) – I said “How do you like being Hearing Imparied/Deaf)? The Interp thought it was fun, but the HR person was a “Gloomy Gus” and I guess did not care. All three of us took the tour- I was very amused to see that the interp could NOT understand the HR person with the ear plugs and over the noise of the shop machines. Neither could the HR person understand the Interp!
As I was leaving.. the HR person asked how they could contact me if they needed to see me again or had a question, etc.
I gave the HR person one of my business cards Julia had made up in hopes of having people communicate easily with me. There were at least SIX ways- Three e mail addresses, my home address, my Blackberry Text SMS number, our home phone number, two other e mail addresses, and a Toll Free relay number.
Needless to say, the HR person took the card, looked at it, and DID not like it. I felt it was time to leave. How else can a deaf person be contacted?
I left the interview feeling down. I wonder how much more hurt like this can I take?
Went home and wrote this for Julia’s Blog. Trying to figure out where to go from here.
p.s. to Julia– you can edit as you feel fit
(Note to Steve – My dear, Your posts do not need editing.)
Filed under: Job Hunting and Working
Yes what that interviewer said was wrong. If you do not get the job based on the fact they cannot “accommodate” you, it might be worth filing a suit against them for discrimination. Check with the local human rights commission if necessary.
Thanks, DMS ! I appreciate your support.
Right now I am considering doing just what you said. Having gone thru this stuff too many times I don’t really know if I have the energy though.
One more thing: The HR person asked me if I had the Interp to follow me around ALL day for the job.
Yeah, Right!
Steve
One more thing: I notified my Voc Rehab counselor of exactly what happened.
It seems to me that they (voc rehab) sent me there and they should help with any action that should or will be taken. I am waiting to see what they say.
Steve
Voc Rehab leaves a great deal to be desired, that’s for sure. (It’s a job to them).
I wonder —- just wonder if having an interpreter might turn a prospective employer off? Why not try it sometime cold turkey, just you and the interviewer.
Just an idea. “Whatever works”.
Remember, way back when my generation was looking for jobs, we never had interpreters, unless we had a close relative that was willing. We mostly did it all on our own.
~~~Sigh~~~
Lantana
Lantana: Thank you also for the suggestion. I assure you I have done my share of interviews with no interpreter. This time it was Voc Rehab’s suggestion for the Interp.
So it goes….
Steve
Thank you for sharing this experience. Not many people would admit that they had a hard time trying to do something like this.
r-
Do not waste your time. Go and get an attorney specializing on ADA discrimination issues now!!! EEOC or DOJ are not doing their great jobs and they are doing so slow and usually they are in favor of employers instead of YOU. The big problem is that this HR rep tries to act as a doctor to evaluate your “problem” instead of focusing on your abilities, education and experience. You have the right to object about this HR rep’s over-reaction about your deafness and forgotness about your good qualities (abilities, education and experience!!!). Good Lucks!!!
Thank you hw. You are right also. EEOC don’t do anything too slow I know
The One and Only Ridor:
Yep. I think more people should come forward and tell of their experiences. This will make more people aware of what we go thru.
I have a good idea many people like I run into stuff like this all the time, but do not want to bother filing a complaint or getting involved.
Isn’t it WORSE to let companies get away with stuff like this by NOT speaking out?
Update from Steve:
I recieved an E-mail from this company today. The HR person said she had talked to her supervisor and they have NO positions open.
Why did they tell my VR counselor they were hiring when the appointment was arranged?
Outright lies.
I have heard that the “DVR” as such is going private in some locations and will be independent of the State DVR.
Do you consider this good or bad?
I worked for the State for 25 years and am well aware of the slackers there. My guess is that a private “Job Corps” might be much better and with more motivated staff.
Lantana
Hey … I understand this hardship. What I had seen thru the process as you mentioned above until things seemed turned off at end. IF they ask about the accomodation (anything depends on someone) … you should say “I can do myself and can communicate as much as best I can AND still say I can work hard on *whatever on the job line* stuffs” — making the interviewer look so wonderous and eye-opener etc. Also showing the “business” card which should give CLEAR give out only email (or phone something) making it look very CLEAR sign showing its very easy to communicate LIKE the hearing people. The interviewer seems (although I know he-she might cross over borderline into illegal questioning) that he-she WANT to know if you be able to be a good worker JUST LIKE the hearing people. The interviewer didn’t care IF the big deal “deaf” word come out on top of interview process, simply because the company only cares if you THINK about the job more important than your “deafness-issue” come up.
Keep trying … think of what suppose you are the company HR person or business person, you might see what YOU want FOR the company, not deafness issue.
Lantana:
That probably won’t happen in my lifetime. Even if DVR goes “Private” whom is to know if they will be any better?
That’s interesting though.
Update:
I have returned to work with former company I worked for last year at their wood shop.
They rehired me without question immediately and practically told me they NEED me there.
That HR person was totally wrong. She only had to ask the former company I work for to find out how good a worker I am