I don’t know if you caught last night’s episode of 60 Minutes. There was a segment on homeless families in Florida. Apparently, the situation is getting worse as the recession lingers. Families who were living in motels are now living in cars.
I have a family member who lived in his car during a phase of unemployment. At one point, he was admitted to the emergency room with chest pains. Turns out it wasn’t a heart attack, but rather, an anxiety attack.
It wasn’t death. It just felt like the end.
So when I heard about kids living in cars, I had to share this video with you. The kids in the 60 Minutes segment were really stoic and mature.
I don’t know how they do it.
I am sharing this video to remind my Human Resources colleagues that there is no HR or recruiting without labor. When we hire someone, we change lives. When we say that there’s a war for talent and we keep a position open and unfilled for months, we are part of an unfortunate system that condemns children (& adults) to poverty and homelessness.
It’s the season to start doing the right thing. Hire someone. If you can’t find a candidate who is a good fit, hire a person for his character and integrity — and then train him to do that job.
And if you can’t hire anyone because your company would rather play a productivity game and inflate earnings by keeping labor costs artificially low, it’s time for you to find a new job. You’re not really doing HR. You are just occupying space until they can find a reason to fire you, too.
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Whats going on in the underbelly of society which we chose to ignore. A result of the endless pursuit of profit? I dunno, dont have the answers. Neil would call me a tree hugger but something isn’t right is it?
Your post is spot on. And as for the war for talent – theres a crock of self serving s**t if i ever heard one. Get real people, look beyond the end of your noses.
Great post, thanks for sharing.
Gareth, I love how you say crock of shit. It’s perfect.
Heartbreaking story…we can help a little bit.
We can!
The last three people I’ve hired were out of work for more than two years. We posted a customer service position a few months ago and the number of application we received was heartbreaking. I had people leaving comments that they’d take whatever we offered them, no matter how low, they just needed a job. I dont buy the war on talent bit. I havent had a single issue filling a position, zero. In fact, I’ve had more candidates to choose from than ever; qualified, willing, and able to work kind of candidates. I would’ve hired them all if we had the space, workload, and money to pay them.
Gosh that is sad, April. I wish more HR peeps were like you. xo
Amen. The war for talent is like popcorn stuck in my teeth – It never stops finding ways to annoy me. The war for talent is just a code for having bad management that doesn’t want or know how to train replacements for positions that have been combined and neglected for too long. No one has the requirements because the job has been changed so dramatically during downsizing that there really isn’t one person who can do it since there used to be four people who did the different aspects of it. And the poor people who don’t measure up now are being punished for not knowing they’re really being recruited to fill multiple gaps and they will never measure up to whatever talent left. And now I am going to think about it all day and get more and more bothered.
Love your metaphor, Sarah. And thanks to Laurie, I am going to feel popcorn in my teeth all day and feel bothered by it, too.
I love how HR people — notoriously bad at math — are trying to measure human capital and can’t seem to figure out that their jobs don’t exist without employees. Ugh! HIRE PEOPLE.
That story is reason #2 why I’m embarassed to be from Florida.
#1 could be anything. Really.
Laurie, this is the best post ever. That story on 60 Minutes made me sick last night. I have spent the last 15 hours thinking about how I could create a business to employee all the unemployed in Philly. Like do something huge and earth shaking. Kids (and adults) shouldn’t be homeless in the richest country in the world.
Thanks for writing thing.
Frank, if you come up with any good ideas for Philly and need volunteers to help put it to action be sure to call me.
Shannon, I’ll take you up on that.
Frank, Shannon – if you want to make it a global business and open here in the UK count me in too. Lets dent the universe…
That’s the spirit, Gareth. I’m filling a notebook with ideas today.
Now I’m in, Frank.
That’s a winner.
Count me in, Frank. I want to puke in my suit whenever I hear anyone talking about the “war for talent.”
Hiring Manager: “Whine….whine…whine.. I can’t find someone with (retiring employee)’s skills and abilities…….whine, whine, whine.”
Me: “Uh, that”s because he was with the company for 30 years. He didn’t walk in the door with all that knowledge. We could train someone to do the job, just like we trained him.”
Manager: “But….whine…..whine…..whine…….”
The only “war” is the internal war I continually wage to keep from calling you a moron, Mr. Hiring Manager.
HRDude, good deal. I’m knocking an idea around and will count you in.
Laurie, I watched the same and did a FB post on it. Was thinking of how we would do something like you did here on pressuring the distribution / warehouse community that we serve to open up the hiring spigot.
You are right – the kids are stoic and mature. They really get it.
A line that popped out to me – of the 4 million homeless families, 1/3 are in Florida. I asked my FB gang “why”? “Warmer” was the answer they gave, but there are many other warm weather states other than Florida – like Texas and the rest of the Gulf Coast. And those all have real industry. So the “warmer” can’t be the reason.
I bring it up because the data point makes me want to know more about where the “homeless families” are, by state. Could the number’s be an indication of not where these people migrated to (one family in the video did migrate, from DC to Florida) but more of an indication where there is a real lack of jobs? Florida does not have a concentration of industry, the economy depends on tourism, which is still beat to heck.
Back in the early 90′s I lived in Florida. I met quite a few people that moved there on a whim and figured they could pick up a job and live the warm life. They migrated down in the fall, found a job, and then discovered that it became a hard place to live in the summer, when it was not tourist season. Now, those were single people, not families. Families did not move on a whim.
I think Florida is the california of the east coast. It’s dreamy, warm, and seems to sit on the edge of something. Possibilities? Good weather? I dunno.
But your question makes sense. It’s home to domestic immigrants as well as immigrants in the truest sense.
It’s bizarre.
As one of your non-HR Professional readers, I love this post. Unless you are hiring a brain surgeon, give someone a shot. I will never forget the HR person who gave me a chance so many years ago at a job I desperately needed. I saw her out and about a few years ago and stopped to tell her how giving me a chance really changed my life. Of course she didn’t remember me, but I certainly remember her and will always be grateful. You all have the power to be someone’s personal hero; can’t say that about every job out there.
Oh Glenda that’s a nice HR story. Thank you for that.
Lack of industry, dependence on tourism, urban sprawl to the max, lack of good public transportation and a housing market that’s legs up could be just some of the reasons.
Craziness down there. That’s for sure.
That’s a compellingly heartbreaking depiction of our society; my heart aches for those children and families because I, too, have experienced homelessness and find myself facing that prospect again in the very near future.
Now age 56, I’ve been both un and under-employed for over eight years; mostly “un”. Calls for interviews are fewer and further between as my relevant professional experience becomes increasingly remote in time. I was, perhaps naively, shocked to find that ageism in hiring is pervasive. Contrary to popular belief, unemployment is NOT limited to the young, poor, working class and unskilled workers; I am living proof of that myth. I have a BBA in finance, my JD and over twenty years of professional experience. Although I have practiced law I quickly learned that it doesn’t suit me; I prefer resolving and mediating disputes to the adversarial nature of legal practice. I discovered my niche in employee relations and I am (was) very good at what I do. Unfortunately, it isn’t appropriate to include my extensive list of adversities and challenges OVERCOME within the body of my resumes and cover letters. Life experience is a valuable asset that employers don’t consider because they won’t give us old timers a chance to prove ourselves. I’ve concluded that I face three primary obstacles I’ve been unable to surmount: 1) AGEISM; 2) an enormous, growing gap since my last meaningful job in my profession (there wouldn’t be a gap had someone given me a chance); 3) preconceptions-misconceptions that my age, level of education and extensive experience (code word HR uses to refuse to hire applicants like me: overqualified) translate to “she will be difficult to manage”. I can’t alter my age, it happens to all of us (if we’re lucky). I’ve kept my skills and knowledge base well-honed and current. I’m a very easy person with whom to work; I’m equally at ease working in team settings as well as independently, with or without close supervision. My interpersonal skills are top-notch and I’ve worked for numerous younger managers and supervisors with whom I got on famously. (BTW, I was not terminated from my last REAL job. I resigned after my father passed away to move and reside closer to my mother)
Final observations. Older, highly experienced applicants DO NOT expect higher pay than our younger counterparts. We want jobs, the opportunity to contribute and be productive. Not all of us will incur higher medical costs; granted, as we age more things can go wrong. Speaking for myself I would defy anyone who presumes that because of my age I am, by definition, less healthy than younger applicants. I won’t become pregnant. I am not obese. I have no chronic medical conditions (allergies to pollen are not deemed chronic). Employees in my age cohort group don’t leave early on Friday to go to happy hour nor do we arrive to work late on Monday mornings with hangovers.
My message to those of you in HR and recruiting is that it would behoove you to audit your hiring practices. I’ve seen “with my own eyes” the quality of HR professionals in the current workforce. Some managers with whom I’ve interviewed have been consummate professionals; others have been woefully inept. Fortunately, I have an excellent poker face that enables me not to grimace when my interviewer uses poor grammar and appears to be incapable of articulating questions tailored to elicit responses indicative of my skills and abilities to perform the job duties.
p.s. I’m a cat lover too. It’s going to be damn near impossible for me, my blind, diabetic Lab and my two formerly feral kitties to live in my car. Food stamps don’t cover dog and cat food….
Wendy, I read every word of your first post. I sure wish I was a hiring manager somewhere as you had me sold to hire you. Alas, I am not. I am just a FOS and follow Laurie (Friend of Scrubby, you can find the handsome man on Facebook.) I don’t know where you live, but here in Portland we have many different Not-For-Profits whose mission it is to distribute high quality dog and cat food to those who need help in that area. I have hit some really hard times too in the past and sure wish I would have known about these pet food banks then, it would have been a huge help and I will do anything for my little ones.
Thanks, Glenda, if forced to make a choice between food for me or feeding my critters, they eat. I’m stuck in OK City, I’m unaware of any local resources. My elderly mother has been paying for my special needs dog food, insulin and syringes, but I’ve been loathe to tell her that the friend who has been providing with me a place to stay can no longer do so. Living with mom is out of the question, she no longer likes dogs and her nasty-tempered cat doesn’t like other people or pets.
It sticks in my craw to see jobs requiring experience performing duties identical to those I performed quite well for several years, for which I’ve interviewed and been rejected, re-posted as an “urgent” need. Most employers don’t bother with the courtesy of a rejection letter or email. I received my most recent rejection letter several weeks after my interview, most likely prompted by two unanswered phone messages I left for the recruiter inquiring about the status. I don’t care how busy someone is; when applicants take time to apply, offer their services and prepare for interviews they–we deserve to be treated like human beings rather than fungible goods. My recent interview was with an energy company, the recruiter told me to study “fracking” to prepare for my in person interview. I could have explained the fracking process to her and most of their other HR people. It’s highly unlikely they interviewed any other applicants for an employee relations position who took two years of geology in college and are already familiar with the business and terminology. Hmmm. Clueless idiots.
In the past I was hired for jobs 95% of the time when I landed interviews; the only things that have changed are that I now have MORE experience, but I’m OLDER, and I’m not the (quoting somebody else) “good looking blond with the hot body” any longer. I hope every person who has engaged in ageist practices one day find themselves walking in my shoes. Karma is real.
Wendy try this: http://petfoodpantryokc.org/
I would like to know who exactly practices ageism and why. You are as old as my mother – I view anyone in your age range as ‘like my mom’ and I cannot bear the thought of her being in a situation like yours. I really like to think that I give equal opportunity to all regardless of age. I truly think that older people have a lot to give because they’ve been working for years and have knowledge that college grads don’t.
The only issue that I have with people who are unemployed lately (for years) is that some that I have come across (some, not all) are not keeping up with their chosen field. I will ask them questions directly based off their resume and they cannot answer the question.
I went through so many interviews before I got my last job that I lost count. It was at least 15. I applied for countless more. Prior to that I too was hired if I got an initial interview. I don’t know why you’re not getting hired but maybe you should try to reinvent yourself.
I recently came across a fabulous speaker who used to be a lawyer, worked in employee relations and now she does seminars and the like for workplaces on workplace bullies and related issues. Your writing skills and opinions are definitely worthwhile and deserve utilization.
Wendy, I was just thinking of pet/animal food pantries. There is one in Raleigh. I bet you could google some in your area.
Good luck and thank you for your very thoughtful comment.
Wendy,
I feel that your beliefs and observations are absolutely correct, and perfectly tell the story of why I’m embarrassed to work in HR. Both HR and hiring managers alike conger the most ridiculous of reasons not to hire candidates; all of them, including “overqualified,” make me crazy. I guess that earning an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work is a notion we no longer value. How tragic.
My favorite newer word: “Suitability,” which is just code for “We don’t like you.” When I hear that word come out of someone’s mouth, I immediately brand them with my own term: Coward.
I’ve been trying to leave HR for another field, but I’ve had no luck. Want to take a guess why? Anyone? Anyone? You’re right: I’m not “qualified” for anything else. Just ask HR!
Yep, HRDude! (love your handle, the word “dude” became a common part of my vocabulary when I spent two years living in CA) Workplaces have become a buyer’s kingdom in which employees and job applicants are dehumanized like easily replaced chairs, fax machines and desks. If ya don’t like it here, don’t let the door hit ya on your way out. If you aren’t our concept of the perfect candidate we won’t hire you and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.
It’s ironic that you want out of HR and I’ve been trying, in vain, to get back in. Last week I took an online job assessment test (free) to “evaluate” my strengths and determine what vocation I’m best suited for. (hate dangling that prep but I will) After finishing the test I had to choose two jobs to compare so I went with HR as my current gig and practicing law (which I’ve already mentioned I detest). The results indicated that I’m better-suited for being a lawyer. Could have knocked me over with a feather! I loved my job as the EEO/ADA Officer (of a large unnamed county in TX) and I hated practicing law. I’m admitted to practice (inactive status because the fees are too high) in CA and TX but currently living in OK. I don’t qualify for reciprocity so in order to practice here I need to take the bar exam. That would require several thousand dollars that I don’t have for the application fee and bar review classes; a hefty investment to do something I know I hate. Granted, if I could find a job practicing in a “do gooder” area of law I would probably love it. Employment law practices that represent plaintiffs are practically non-existent because clients can’t afford to pay and there may or may not be an award at the end if one takes cases on a contingency fee basis.
I’ve been told I need to reinvent myself; I must lack imagination because I don’t have a clue what that means. I haven’t encountered the “suitability” buzzword–yet but “culture fit” has been thrown out there a lot recently. Unless and until they hire someone they can’t possibly ascertain, based upon 1-3 interviews, whether he or she fits the company or agency culture. Who among us isn’t putting their best foot forward and trying to be perceived as what they want in an interview! My non-existent kingdom for an employer who values my authentic self and the skills and talents I have to offer them!
Amen to all, especially the months of un-filled postings. Ridiculous.
Thanks, mark.
I like to think of it via the trickledown effect – someone gets a job and they can then spend money on goods and services and it keeps the economy running.
I know that is glass half full thinking but I try to be optimistic about it. Most of those people who do get a job are going to pay bills with their newly earned money. They’re going to look for a place to live and get food and electricity and water. They aren’t going to go out and get their kid the GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip.
But I AM willing to believe that every little piece helps. Especially when the alternative is, potentially, homelessness.
I appreciate your optimism!
I watched that last night too. Absolutely heartbreaking! What do you think about the idea of creating a new “protected class” for the unemployed?
You should blog about that. It’s provocative and some states are considering protections for the long-term unemployed. Schwoo. What a mess.
That’s a great idea in theory, Breanne, but I don’t see it ever happening on a national level; certainly not during my lifetime. Congress is broken. They can’t pass any meaningful reforms without a significant majority, especially in the Senate where secret holds on legislation and filibusters have become business as usual. Age (my soapbox), for instance, is already a protected classification but proving age discrimination, especially in hiring practices, is virtually impossible thanks to SCOTUS. They gutted any meaningful enforcement of the ADEA in Gross v. FBL by imposing an unwieldy burden of proof on plaintiffs. That abominable decision, in effect, removed any enforcement teeth of the ADEA and is directly at odds with how discrimination against other protected classifications is treated. Discriminating against us older workers is viewed as less reprehensible…why? Because we had the audacity to survive and age? I don’t see them being any kinder to the unemployed; after all, it is OUR fault we’re unemployed– according to many….
I am glad that 60 Minutes focused on the kids, because they are the ones most deeply affected by our culture going all wrong these days.
People wonder why I stopped being a mental health counselor for kids. This is why. How do you help people cope with the un-cope-able? I know that counselors are needed now more than ever to help people with their emotional distress derived from circumstances beyond their control. I just reached a point where it could not be me anymore. My disgust at the politics, greed and lack of societal compassion that created this situation overwhelmed my helping ability.
Luckily, I have a talent and ability to create unique products, leading me into a new career. I have the entrepreneurial spirit to pursue it and make the sacrifices it requires. But I DON’T HAVE KIDS. Many people do have kids, but they have few back-up skills to go into a different career direction.
As usual, Laurie, your post is so on it, and so real. Will it lead to change and make a difference? I don’t know. But I am damn glad that you are fighting this fight and putting a real face onto the decisions so many corporate execs make with such casual indifference. I hope some of them feel popcorn in their teeth today, and decide to floss in a way that makes a difference.
BZ I have no idea how you did it. Good for you. I know you made a difference while you were in that role!
I’m glad to hear that you have an entrepreneurial spirit, but I’m also a bit envious. I just don’t. I’ve tried working for myself, and I couldn’t make it happen. I have the technical skills, ingenuity and solid work ethic, but no marketing ability to sell myself or what I offered. I can tell you what I do and how I do it, but if you were to ask, “Why you over someone else?” I would stumble.
Same goes in a job interview. I’ve only been successful in interviews when that question WASN’T asked.
HRDude – I believe that marketing is an acquired skill, not an “ability”. There are many tools out there to help you determine your “value proposition” and coach you on articulating it. If you have the technical skills, ingenuity and solid work ethic, I think that you can develop the marketing skills as well. These skills will help you if you are an entrepreneur or an employee. This book was a good start for me: http://www.jackiebpeterson.com/book/ Best of luck!
Spot on Laurie. I watched the episode last night and give thanks that I finally got a job after 8 months of unemployment. But I have to say, I think you should be writing more in this vein. It makes your “how to order Starbucks” post seem trivial and stupid and really not necessary considering what’s going on in the world today!
Well, this is her blog…
I think that both kinds of posts have their own place and value, and regular readers find both engaging – that’s why we’re all here reading each week. It can’t be all doom and gloom or we’d all jump.
Do not down play the importance of ordering coffee. yo.
Amen!
The deep disconnect between contribution and reward is the key challenge for all developed economies. The only solutions are political and global (i.e. are only going to come the hard way).
The bottom line is that income distribution must be skewed more toward the poor than the rich, but the rich hold every lever of power and have broken every institution that empowered the poor (esp. public education, but also every level of justice and opportunity).
I hope that the Internet will be a force for good in these areas- this kind of discussion was never possible pre-web, and a million of these may add up to some kind of change.
I would gladly give up 1/3 or more of my own wealth (such as it is) to know that the balance of our society (sans true outlyers) was in a sustainable place.
Amen. There’s nothing material I can add beyond the other commentors. It’s just so heartwarming to read your post and the comments and to know that others feel this way and are taking up the charge.
Made, as so many of your posts are, of awesome.
I think people understand the severity of what’s happening, and the 60 Minutes piece did a great job on explaining its impact on families. But we still have a class/caste system in regards to homelessness. (Are they just unlucky/unemployed/foreclosed upon, or are they crazy/lazy/perpetually homeless?)
I just did a story on homelessness, and it’s an overwhelming topic….because the pool of people experiencing homelessness (especially here) keeps expanding.
Thank you for acknowledging the crucial gatekeeping role that HR people have, and the impact it has on the other side of the curtain in Oz.
Amazing thoughts and projects…. just wondering how many actions will come out of these great intentions, and not because YOU don’t want to or know how, but because it is so daunting and time consuming to address all the issues related to community, family, local labor laws, unemployment rules, zoning, funding, etc. Here’s my example: I live in Europe and went to Virginia to help my sick parents this past year (like Wendy). During my year’s sabbatical I tried to find solutions to get help for my parents, for example maintenance of house and garden. I thought it would be easy pulling the neighborhood unemployed, out-of-school kids off the street and training them for handy man projects to help out low-income senior citizens. Statistically there are as many senior citizens with homes and gardens to care for as the kids who need jobs, money and training. BUT wow, the number of obstacles was daunting, including creating trust and motivation to work between the ages/classes/races. With limited time and resources I asked my extended family and friends to help and we managed Mom’s house and garden ourselves while Dad passed away in horribly painful conditions (no need to talk about the health care disaster in USA, right?). I found that money and hands can be found through the local community college, churches, schools and local charities; however co-ordinating the decision making and efforts is a challenge as each one has their own initiative and priorities.Summary, I don’t doubt that there are plenty of ideas and actions, the issue is ‘how to’ get effective actions put in place asap to make a difference before those homeless families die from lack of food and shelter and violence?
PS. my 23 yr old daughter and boyfriend designed and built ‘earthship’ school rooms in the Senegal desert this year (for 160 students)- their humanitarian project (google: habite ta terre! or earthship) is perfect for helping communities to build sustainable off the grid habitations out of recyclable materials, in which the homeless families themselves can take pride in participating to learn and build. Please note that it was EASIER to DO their project in Senegal than to even talk about in Virginia, despite the fact that Senegal is a poor under developed country…and the USA one of the richest!
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