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Bet that got your attention, huh? During my Senior year in college, my then-boyfriend's mother and I found out there was a teaching position and a teacher's aide position at a Montessori school. We gathered our resumes and headed over there. When we arrived, we took note that the school was extremely dirty. There was cat food in bowls covered with ants. There were no children, although this was a mid-week morning and not during a holiday, either. We entered the office and again noticed the disheveled mess. The only Montessori person there was this older woman who was pacing back and forth behind the counter. A bit odd, but no red flags had gone up at this point, but oh, if only I could look into the future. One other young girl was sitting there, filling out an application. She looked a bit nervous. We entered and asked for the person my then-boyfriend's mother had spoken to on the phone. The woman behind the counter (now to be referred to as The Woman) said that there as no such person and handed us the applications. Now, these applications were very poorly photocopied and extremely difficult to read. My then-boyfriend's mother asked me what something said since it didn't copy well on her application. The Woman said "NO TALKING! If you can't read the application, you can't work here." My then-boyfriend's mother replied "Mine did not copy well." The Woman jerked the paper out of her hand. My then-boyfriend's mother said "I want to see " The other young girl who was there to fill out an application took hers, shoved it in her purse and literally ran out the door. The Woman pushed right past us and locked the front door- and out only means of escape- and took the key. She then closed the blinds of the small office. She went behind the counter and picked up the phone. "Hello. Yes, I'd like to report trespassers who refuse to leave."
Yep. She called the cops.
We were in shock. She next began rummaging through the drawers. The way she was behaving made us think she might just shoot us. How were we to know? I didn't know what to do, so I called the police and reported that she wouldn't let us leave. If she called the police on us, why shouldn't I call them on her?
While waiting for the police, she decided to be out new best friend. She offered us water and a comfortable chair. I assumed the water had cyanide and refused it. The chair? No way. I wanted to be able to run.
Before the police arrived, she finally unlocked the door. We ran out. The police arrived.
They questioned my then-boyfriend's mother and me outside and The Woman inside. All the police took time questioning us. They were concerned- but for us. They also noted the mess, the ants in the cat food and the general lack of stability The Woman displayed. And, much to the chagrin of us and the police, The Woman insisted on placing us under Citizen's Arrest. The police actually didn't try to talk her out of this. Her Citizen's Arrest would cause an investigation, which, they indicated, would turn on her rather than us. We didn't have a choice in the matter, so she actually came out, smiled, said hi and asked how we were doing. You can imagine how everyone was looking at her.
After it was over, the cops all gave us their cards and said if we ever saw the inside of a courtroom, give them a call. They would all testify on our behalf.
A month later, I called the DA to find out the status. He said that we were in the clear but our new friend, The Woman, wasn't so lucky. I called one of the cops to let them know. They were actually questioned in the investigation and this woman is no longer at that Montessori school or any school.
So, my "arrest" actually benefited society. And boy, does it make a great story!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have some very interesting job stories that are just too unbelievable to keep to myself.
An Employment Agency once placed me with a new client of theirs. The contract between the Employment Agency and their clients guaranteed satisfaction within the first 30 days or it's free (otherwise, the employer has to pay 10% of my salary to the Employment Agency as a placement fee.) As it turns out, two employees quit and I was brought in to replace two people. There was the President, a secretary and me. It was an extremely small office- and the President wasn't there most of the time. I have absolutely no idea where she was, but it sure wasn't at work.
At the end of the third week, the employment agency began calling the small office, asking why their bill had not been paid yet (the money for me was owed to them within 7 days of placement.) At the end of that week, suddenly, two interns came in. As you can guess, on day 29, I was fired. I drove straight to the Employment Agency to let them know. They were shocked. After making some phone calls to other employment agencies, they discovered that this is something she has done all over town. In fact, no other employment agencies would do business with her. Many had joined in on a lawsuit regarding fraud and some other stuff. I got to give a written deposition. She got sued, but I still didn't have a job.
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Right before Winter Break, I was asked to interview for a position teaching a TOFEL class and running Language Lab at a post-secondary academy for foreign students. Although it is not an actual college campus, the classes transfer for credit. I interviewed and got the job. I have been waiting for a phone call to let me know my schedule. Finally, I called today. The office manager, who has spoken with me extensively, took my paperwork and said she'd call me now says she has no idea who I am or what I want.
My guess is that the office manager lost my paperwork is just thinks if she ignores me, I will go away. She might have told the direct anything to let her think I'm no longer interested. I have never had such an experience in my life. But, I'm glad the insanity is up front and not later.
I have asked to speak to the director, but I can't seem to get around this Office manager. So, today I wrote a letter and went to the post office. I have sent this letter with a restriction that the letter be given directly to the Director and only she is allowed to sign for it. If she is not there after so many attempts, she must come to the post office and sign for it. It cost me about $8 for all this, but it is important that she know there is insanity in her office.
Here is the letter:
Dr. XXXX,
I have become quite perplexed over recent events. I’ve called the main office to find out my schedule at the Language Institute and can not seem to find it out. Classes are beginning and I still do not know when the TOFEL class and Language Labs begin.
In December, I was asked in for an interview with you. At the interview, you said there is a TOFEL class and a Language Lab I could teach, along with private lessons. I agreed to this. You next took me to the front office to gather some additional paperwork. You said when I returned the paperwork, either J---- or N------ (I am unsure of the correct spelling of your office worker’s names) would go over time cards and other office business with me in addition to having the schedule available at that time.
On December 20th, I brought the paperwork to the office and gave it to Josie. At that time, I was told I would receive a phone call prior to December 26th letting me know what my schedule at the would be.
I never received that call. After the new year, I still had not received that call.
On Thursday, January 4th, I called the main office. Josie seemed to have no idea who I was or what I wanted, even though just prior to the Winter Break on December 20th, she had taken my paperwork and said she’d be calling me. She then said she’d need to speak with you, as you were in a meeting at the time. Shortly thereafter, she called me back and said that when a positioned opened, you would be happy to let me know. This is all she would say and was quite silent on the phone. I found this to be odd, as in the past she was very friendly with me.
I am simply trying to know what my schedule at the is so I can begin. I have also sent you an email regarding this matter. The email was sent on January 4th.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
And, I'm not saying this in the letter, but I have no desire to work for this place. Ever. Even if the Office Manager loses her job over this, it gives me the sense that the director has no idea what is going on around her office and that isn't ok with me.
As you can see, I have a way of attracting the nuttiest people and getting myself in the oddest of situations.
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