Weird job interview!

[vatten 1]

Back in January, I went to a job interview at Hampton Inn, in the city where I currently live.

The manager who interviewed me, before asking me any questions, said that at this job I will NEVER be allowed to become sick, not even one day. She warned me if only one time I call out, I don't need to come back to work, I will be immediately terminated!

I listened to her in shock. I had a very calm expression while listening. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She said she is making her own rules there and no one is ever allowed to become sick.

Is this possible? I'm from Europe and I have never heard someone talk this way. In Europe if you become sick you can stay home to recover and you get paid for that! And if you're sick a few times a year, that's ok, no problem. I'm in shock when I look at the American system.

Where are the human rights coming in here? Maybe in America you are not entitled to anything...maybe they are against human rights?

I didn't feel like I want to have that job.

[Yanirose 64]

That is so weird... is it a private company as in small sole trader or a big company? surely there's something "fishy" about this.. I'm from Europe as well so I'm not very familiar with american jobs

[feli114 65]

This is just a scare tactic. They do this just to see if you really want the job. These types of jobs go through a lot of employees.

[vatten 1]

That is so weird... is it a private company as in small sole trader or a big company? surely there's something "fishy" about this.. I'm from Europe as well so I'm not very familiar with american jobs

A quite big hotel chain.

[Boiler 43,425]

Unlikely to get sick pay in such a job.

[vatten 1]

Unlikely to get sick pay in such a job.

Why? Sick pay is a right in Europe. I worked in the hospitality industry for many years and if someone became sick they would get paid... no human rights in America?

It doesn't matter what kind of job you have, everyone should be entitled to sick pay leave, paid maternity leave, free health care....but I see America is not like Europe. Here no one is entitled to basic human rights. Sad

Edited March 1, 2015 by vatten

[Boiler 43,425]

Lots of different countries and practice's in Europe.

Human right? Maybe a translation issue?

Anyway if the job does not meet you requirements look elsewhere.

[VOL 425]

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/sickleave.htm

[vatten 1]

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/sickleave.htm

Thank you. It's just unbelievable!

[Frips 166]

Sick pay,free health care etc...these are not human rights...these are benefits. But in some EU countries people have the benefits just on paper.

In Slovenia (Europe), employer pays our main health care. Additional health care is paid from your pocket. Even then you struggle with long waiting lines in hospitals, paying extras etc...nothing is free.

Also from your to year there is less benefits.

But anyway.....it's nice place for living:)

Edited March 1, 2015 by Frips

[Jmalaysia 8]

Sick pay, vacation pay, and holiday pay are fairly standard benefits for career jobs. A hotel job is generally considered a temporary job and may not provide these benefits. These are high turnover jobs. It is unreasonable to expect a company to grant paid sick time for an employee that will only work for them for a few months. Obviously you are not required to accept a job if you are not satisfied with the benefits. Most long term jobs do offer paid sick time. INCLUDING Hampton Inn. This quote is from their website:

" Standard work benefits with the hotel chain include paid time off, sick leave, employee assistance, and flexible scheduling. Qualified Hampton Inn associates may gain access to insurance coverage, such medical, dental, and vision care, as well. Employment benefits eligibility depends on several factors, such as the position desired and amount of experience in the hotel industry."

In other words, if you decide to make a career at their hotel, benefits will be provided to you at some point. No benefits are provided to transient workers that have no intention of working for them long term. That is fair and normal here.

Reading federal law relating to labor laws does not tell you the whole story. There are also state laws and local laws that can add to the requirements. Florida does not have mandatory paid sick time, but some states do.

What I can tell you it that if you work hard and are a valuable employee that whatever company you work for will want to keep you. Good pay and benefits will eventually be provided.

[Boiler 43,425]

Did you make it clear the sort of benefit package you would require?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

It seems ridiculous they'd threaten to terminate you for one day of being sick. Hardly likely to help them recruit anyone half decent. That sector has a high turnover though as someone has already noted.

Obviously the good news is that you don't have to take the job and there are better ones out there. Just accept that in general vacation time, sickness pay, maternity leave etc probably won't be as generous as it is in Europe. It was certainly a culture shock for me!

Edited March 1, 2015 by Hotter Otter

[CowBoE 429]

Probably not a company position but rather an individual opinion.

I wouldn't take such job and I would send an anonymous letter to the company.

I bet their CEO wouldn't agree with that person.

[j&ana 363]

most of the small hotel chains such as Hampton, motel 6 and others of the same type hotels are private franchise own and the owners can not afford to give the benedicts your larger and better quality 4 or 5 star hotels can ,

However a person can not tell you that you can not be sick, that probably was just a scare tactic to make sure they have someone they can depend on. If you are wanting to work in hotel apply with the higher quality hotels

Edited March 2, 2015 by j&ana