16 Shocking Confessions And Secrets From HR Workers

14.

“Worked at a manufacturing facility in my first HR position. We had a system for internal promotions on the factory floor. The position would be posted, people would sign their name if they were interested and the individual with the most seniority would be selected. One time I posted the position and only one person signed their name. This individual had a great reputation as a hard worker. However, we had a new plant manager who was authoritarian and held onto archaic views. Somehow, he found out that the employee had a drug addiction in the past and didn’t want to promote him. I was pissed.”

“I was even more pissed when management actually TOLD the employee that was the reason why. What did the employee do? He brought in a year’s worth of weekly drug test results that he paid for out of pocket (whether court mandated or on his own accord, I don’t know). He then brought in recommendations from his counselors and mentors attesting to his work ethic, his determination to leave his past behind him, his dedication to his new sober and clean life. 

I met with the plant manager and told him we needed to abide by the internal promotion procedure. He laughed and said, ‘Do you know what I think?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘I think he’s nothing but a druggie who deserves to be surrounded by four concrete walls, never seeing the light of day again.’ I was shocked. I was also a young woman at the beginning of my career, in a position with no authority and scared to push back. I told him, ‘I disagree but will follow your suggestion.’

The employee did not get the promotion, and I started hunting for a new job that day after I came home and had a long cry. There are many stories I have from that toxic place. Including a sexest regional manager who told me not to be nice to my colleagues because it’s unprofessional.” —Anonymous