This 45 minute video I watched some time ago is great about reasons not to talk to the police explained by a law professor and a high ranking police officer. I have read a few posts that caused this video to come to mind because I see a fair number of errors in employee to employer communications here and I want to highlight 5 of them to make it easier to navigate the business world while retaining personal power and dignity.
- If You Have A Work Related Request Either Record The Meeting Or Get It In Writing
If you don't have it in writing it's your word against theirs and that isn't helpful at all. Generally speaking if you have your phone on you, when you go to “the office” for a “conversation” if you are requesting accommodation or a raise or any other business related deal you should record it without their knowledge (it's not required). If there is a verbal agreement you should write an email to the person stating that you had the discussion and what was discussed. If you are making any formal declaration do so in writing and hand the individual in question, even if it is your boss, a sheet of paper you printed out (and kept a copy of) with your signature on it and a line for their signature and ask them to sign it. That is a legally binding contract. Afterwards scan it, upload it, protect it.
- If You Suspect Your Employer Of Illegal Practices Against You DO NOT TELL YOUR EMPLOYER
Always, always, always, always, always seek legal counsel by complaining to your local better business bureau or equivalent anonymously. You should never, ever attempt to tell anyone the law. You should document every instance in which you believe the discrimination or failure to consider your best interest (or even their negligence which lead to endangerment) took place quietly and build a case. You are significantly more likely to win by not making a scene because at least you will be aware of the laws around you. This is not equivalent to “know your rights” but instead the smarter method of “leverage your resources”; you do not need to know all the labor laws or have case studies in your head but you do need to know who to ask if something arises.
Get. That. Phone. Number.
- Look Up The Illegal Questions For Interviews Before Going Into Interviews
You cannot be asked a series of questions and if you are asked you should not answer them under any circumstances. Do not disclose any information that would incriminate you or cause doubt needlessly; if someone asks “have you ever torrented a file illegally” (I've actually been asked this back when it was newer; a shit-test for honesty no doubt) no matter what refuse to answer (which I did). For every resume you fill out that includes a “race” section, no matter what your race is (even if you are White and think that will get you ahead for some reason), do not answer or select “Other”. Many electronic forms still contain these illegal question and you must do your best to never answer them.
- A Follow Up Is Never Provide Personal Information
You do not have to give anyone your personal phone number at any time unless the company provides you with either a reimbursement or the phone itself. You do not have to give anyone your personal timetable or tell them what you are doing at any time. You are not required to work hours that you state upfront that you are unavailable for. On your resume you should NOT include a picture of yourself, you should NOT include information that is not pertinent to the job you are applying for and you should NOT give your potential employer any means by which to track you whether it be records that obsolete (i.e. what high school you went to twenty years ago) or evidence of any kind of social media. Do NOT follow your employer's social media. Do NOT engage in “community events” that you do not want to. Your employer, no matter how warm they may be, is NOT your friend (and vice versa; if you are ever in a position that you manage another person they are effectively your employee and again, they are NOT your friend; it is poor business ethics to violate that relationship and keep it exclusively business as long as you work together.)
- READ YOUR CONTRACT
I can't express enough how important this is. I know most people don't read them, it makes the manager feel like you're an idiot sitting there for 20 minutes reading a document they themselves likely didn't write (they hired a lawyer probably), but it's like those EULAs for games or digital products that you agree to mindlessly. You CAN agree to things that are normally outside the natural legal boundaries of general law; in some cases you CAN even agree to things that counter the law depending on the situation such as an agreement to cover costs of your own professional credentials despite there being a program in house to do so. You can sign something that says, “I'm opting out. I'm an idiot.” and yes, your employer will attempt to get you to sign this. You do NOT have to sign every piece of paper; many are NOT necessary for the job and employers, like politicians with their bills, WILL sneak in small provisions for themselves. If at any point you have a question, ASK, and if they cannot give you answer, WALK AWAY.
WALK. AWAY.
WALK.
AWAY.
Do not take a job with a contract you do not understand.
That's it.
BONUS: DO NOT EVER TELL ANYONE YOU HAVE CHILDREN.