Dear Coach, My company hired an outside consultant to be a “business” coach. I was part of the group she briefly worked with but she rarely discussed business. Emotions were her specialty. Later, she was present at a meeting with my bosses to discuss my role in the company and she did all the talking–about me. She dared to say something must have happened to me as a child because I was such a poor communicator! It was a set-up and I felt ambushed and quit. Is this kind of “spying” common?
Carol Kleiman: This is a first for me. I haven’t heard of anything as outrageous as this. Companies usually swear that such personal discussions are completely confidential. Using a so-called business coach as a conduit for information is extremely unethical, if that’s what happened. And if the firm thought you needed psychological counseling, you should have been told that upfront. But don’t blame her: Blame management for allowing it.
Dear Coach, I have a job interview coming up with a large company, and I’m worried that I’ll be asked about a health-related leave of absence I took from my last job. Do I have to answer questions about my medical condition?
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CK: No you don’t, so don’t offer it.
Dear Coach, In preparation for an interview with a restaurant marketing company, I was asked to bring with me at least 10 good marketing and customer-relations ideas. I did that but didn’t get the job. Within the next few months, I noticed the chain had used at least three of my ideas. I feel ripped off. Should I confront the company?
CK: That sure does sound as if it is a rip-off and if it is, your work should be acknowledged. But you can’t confront them alone: You need an employment lawyer to help you ascertain that they indeed were your suggestions that were used–and to ask for compensation.
15-SECOND DRILL: Even though you know the company you’re interviewing with has an informal office atmosphere, you’re not an employee. You want to be. Wear business attire.
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in the Tuesday and Thursday Business sections. Hear her on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and at 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. Watch her “Career Coach” segments on CLTV. E-mail [email protected].