Interviewing at a small business w/ dirt dug up on them

[jeromedawg]

So my wife has an interview for a part-time admin assistant position with a local remodeling company/small business in our area. She found out about the opportunity through a friend whose sister in law works for them (her friend says her SIL *loves* the company and that everyone is so nice, etc).

Anyway, I was just casually looking them up online when I came across a FB page *dedicated* to digging up dirt on them. Apparently, whoever it is who created this FB page loaned them money that was never repaid. So they are publicly accusing this company of fraud and theft. There are some images posted including one of a lawsuit against the company where they abandoned the job on a customer, as well as a picture proving the lien between this individual (I think she's a lender) and the company but this was dated back to 2001. There are a number of other documents they claim prove theft and or fraud. Some of the page is littered with other somewhat sensationalistic content/material and claims... it's as if someone is super upset with and out to get them (perhaps a bitter family member or friend? EDIT: it's her sister, after reading through one of the posts...). Last activity was October 2021 so several months ago.

I checked for reviews on Yelp, Houzz, Buildzoom, Homeadvisor, etc and all the reviews are great except a majority of the reviews are from 2015-2018, and there are no current reviews within the past 2-3 years, which isn't reassuring. There a couple reviews on Google slamming the owners which are probably the same ppl who started the FB page.

I'm not sure why they haven't pursued this legally - perhaps it's too expensive to hire a lawyer?

What would you all suggest in this case? Run the other way? Should my wife proceed with interviewing with and talking to them to find out more? Should she inquire about these claims of fraud and theft and see how they respond?

[travel2020]

If I were in this situation, I’d go ahead with the interview and try to get more info to make my own decision rather than go by some Facebook page etc. I’d also casually bring up the topic (e.g. “ I came across a FB page… not sure what to make of it …” or something like that and see if I get a factual answer that explains it or a deflection.

[Darian]

Could she have the friend ask the sister in law what's going on before the interview?

[Catbert]

I agree with Travel 2020 go to the interview and casually ask about the facebook page.

I wouldn't be too concerned about it if I were looking for a part-time admin job.  It would be more of an issue if it were a different kind of position.  Being CFO of a crooked enterprise or construction superintendent at a lousy construction company would be more off a problem.

[plog]

Have you done research about COVID and Pizzagate on Facebook too?  What are your thoughts on those issues based on the information facebook has provided you?

[jeromedawg]

Have you done research about COVID and Pizzagate on Facebook too?  What are your thoughts on those issues based on the information facebook has provided you?

Yea that's a little bit different... we're not talking about misinformation being spread all around the interwebz by multiple parties and hundreds of thousands of people regarding their opinions and thoughts on political scandals and pandemics. Sure, you could overanalyze and argue that this is perhaps a "microcosm" of that but it just seems like it's really just the story of a bitter family member trying to get back money that was loaned (albeit, a long time ago). Either way, dirt is dirt. It's obviously good to hear both sides of the story too. But I do agree with Catbert - the position my wife is applying for is a low-level part-time position so not much recourse if they get hit with lawsuits or whatever. Anyway, she interviewed and they told her the starting pay per hour, which IMO is low for something like this. I told her that if they're not willing to pay a few bucks more for a part-time job, it's probably not worth working for them anyway.

[YTProphet]

I'm a lawyer. A few thoughts:

1) Anyone can sue anyone. Crazy people file meritless lawsuits all the time. The filing of a lawsuit does not indicate at all whether there is a legitimate claim.

2) Contractors and their customers fight somewhat frequently. Customers change their mind, then don't want to pay, then the contractor walks. Or the contractor messes up and doesn't want to take responsibility and the customer threatens to withhold payment. It's one of the messiest areas there is. Basically every contractor is going to have some unhappy customers. You just don't want to work with a contractor who has a high percentage of them.

[sixwings]

Have you done research about COVID and Pizzagate on Facebook too?  What are your thoughts on those issues based on the information facebook has provided you?

Yea that's a little bit different... we're not talking about misinformation being spread all around the interwebz by multiple parties and hundreds of thousands of people regarding their opinions and thoughts on political scandals and pandemics. Sure, you could overanalyze and argue that this is perhaps a "microcosm" of that but it just seems like it's really just the story of a bitter family member trying to get back money that was loaned (albeit, a long time ago). Either way, dirt is dirt. It's obviously good to hear both sides of the story too. But I do agree with Catbert - the position my wife is applying for is a low-level part-time position so not much recourse if they get hit with lawsuits or whatever. Anyway, she interviewed and they told her the starting pay per hour, which IMO is low for something like this. I told her that if they're not willing to pay a few bucks more for a part-time job, it's probably not worth working for them anyway.

Dirt isnt always dirt. People just have axes to grind because of individual disputes or whatever and facebook and insta are very common places to try to do that and get some publicity to hurt the person. I dunno, a facebook page with something from 2001... If it were me looking for a part time admin-assistant job I'd be much more likely to take the recommendation of the friend rather than some random facebook page. Lots of companies run by very nice caring people have stuff like this. People on social media are nuts. Does the company have a rating with a better business bureau or something like that? 

[PDXTabs]

I'm a lawyer. A few thoughts:

1) Anyone can sue anyone. Crazy people file meritless lawsuits all the time. The filing of a lawsuit does not indicate at all whether there is a legitimate claim.

2) Contractors and their customers fight somewhat frequently. Customers change their mind, then don't want to pay, then the contractor walks. Or the contractor messes up and doesn't want to take responsibility and the customer threatens to withhold payment. It's one of the messiest areas there is. Basically every contractor is going to have some unhappy customers. You just don't want to work with a contractor who has a high percentage of them.

IANAL, but I'm good with public records requests. You could probably get every single document filed in that case through the state and decide for yourself. Eg, was it dismissed, did it go to trial, etc.

[cool7hand]

Ask. If they're uncomfortable with the questions, there's a problem.

[jeromedawg]

My wife didn't feel too comfortable asking about it so I just let it be. She ended up having the job offered albeit at the lower pay ($22). They told her that will be her pay for the 90 day probationary period and from there they'd pay her the minimum she asked for ($25). She's basically going to be a part-time project manager/assistant for a general contractor.

Anyway, she said both owners seemed nice enough and it seems like they have a handful of other people working for them. It's kind of a 'no-strings attached' type deal the way I see it. If she doesn't like it, it ends up being too demanding, or she gets more info on the "dirt" and it's not good, she's free to bail.

[jeromedawg]

Slightly off-topic question but she got the offer letter and had to have them revise it because it stated the pay but didn't mention anything about the increase by a few more dollars pending intro/probationary period. So they updated the letter and added this generic line, not mentioning the amount they spoke about over the phone:

"You will be eligible for a review of your compensation and consideration for a possible increase after completion of your 90 day introductory period." - this is for a few extra bucks increase from the starting hourly pay.



It seems like they're avoiding putting the actual number in and also making it sound very tentative. Should she go ahead and sign it at this point? Or should she demand a number? I feel like the latter could slightly sour the relationship but at the same time it feels like they're also being a bit stingy about it. Maybe this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. I suppose my wife has every right to leave on her own terms too if she doesn't like how things are going.

[Runrooster]

I work in a similar pay range, and $3 is not a nominal amount.  If she thinks she can get $25, she should keep interviewing for it.  If she likes the company and "a few bucks" is insignificant to your family income, she should take the job.  I wouldn't expect a $3 raise after 3 months.  I have, and would again, change jobs for a $3 raise.

I would suggest she takes the $22 job and keep looking, but realistically leave is very limited during probationary periods.

ETA: I forgot that she's only working part-time, so she could look for other jobs in her off-hours.  In any case, I'd worry more about whether she's getting as many hours as she wants and the schedule that works with her than quibbling over $3.

[jeromedawg]

I work in a similar pay range, and $3 is not a nominal amount.  If she thinks she can get $25, she should keep interviewing for it.  If she likes the company and "a few bucks" is insignificant to your family income, she should take the job.  I wouldn't expect a $3 raise after 3 months.  I have, and would again, change jobs for a $3 raise.

I would suggest she takes the $22 job and keep looking, but realistically leave is very limited during probationary periods.

ETA: I forgot that she's only working part-time, so she could look for other jobs in her off-hours.  In any case, I'd worry more about whether she's getting as many hours as she wants and the schedule that works with her than quibbling over $3.

She is working for a friend of ours at $25 now which is why she was using that as a 'benchmark' - the friend she works for is a financial planner and the workload is very light. It's also not as 'intensive' as what this new job will entail - calling subcontractors, doing regulatory type work to ensure they're licensed/bonded/insured and it checks out, contacting clients, scheduling, etc. So to me, $22 seems pretty low given the nature of the work. My wife sees it as exciting but also dreads the phone call part of the job, as she wouldn't describe herself as a "people person" who can deal that well with high pressure. One owner told her that it can be high pressure and she may have to deal with difficult people at times and my wife did express some concern but I guess both owners liked her enough to extend the offer. I think they see that she has a background in accounting (back when she was full time) and has taken multiple other jobs so they probably feel like they're getting a bargain.

I tend to agree though - she'll probably just take it with the expectation that they'll give her the raise. If they don't then she can just bail with no skin off her back... at least she'll have gotten paid *something*

They want her working MWF 8:30-1:30pm with a break between.

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

if her bottom pay was $25 and she stated that, then why is she even contemplating $22?

[Gronnie]

Slightly off-topic question but she got the offer letter and had to have them revise it because it stated the pay but didn't mention anything about the increase by a few more dollars pending intro/probationary period. So they updated the letter and added this generic line, not mentioning the amount they spoke about over the phone:

"You will be eligible for a review of your compensation and consideration for a possible increase after completion of your 90 day introductory period." - this is for a few extra bucks increase from the starting hourly pay.



It seems like they're avoiding putting the actual number in and also making it sound very tentative. Should she go ahead and sign it at this point? Or should she demand a number? I feel like the latter could slightly sour the relationship but at the same time it feels like they're also being a bit stingy about it. Maybe this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. I suppose my wife has every right to leave on her own terms too if she doesn't like how things are going.

Big red flag imo. If they intend on following through they should have no problem putting it in writing.

Seems to me they hope if they don't do it she'll already have intertia there and not bother to leave.

[jeromedawg]

if her bottom pay was $25 and she stated that, then why is she even contemplating $22?

Only because they told her they'd go up to $25 after the 90 day intro/probationary period.

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

90 days is a long time.

Plus they're not even putting the "raise" in writing.

If I had a bottom salary of $25/hour and someone said "okay, here's $22/hour for 3 months while you're on probation" I'd come back with "thanks, my bottom is $25/hour. You're welcome to increase it after 90 days, but I'm not working for less than my bottom."

90 days, so say 4 hours/day for part time work. That's $12/day gone. $12*90= $1080.

[jeromedawg]

90 days is a long time.

Plus they're not even putting the "raise" in writing.

If I had a bottom salary of $25/hour and someone said "okay, here's $22/hour for 3 months while you're on probation" I'd come back with "thanks, my bottom is $25/hour. You're welcome to increase it after 90 days, but I'm not working for less than my bottom."

90 days, so say 4 hours/day for part time work. That's $12/day gone. $12*90= $1080.

It's too late now unfortunately as she committed and responded accepting the offer before pushing any more. On one hand she didn't want to seem "nitpicky" about it but now she's regretting not being more tactful. She was saying that if they don't keep their word, she'll just quit. I'm sure they're banking on her not but who knows. She will at least see how demanding things are and if it doesn't work or fit, she can just back out...even before 90 days. It's tough because she'll ask for my advice on this kind of stuff and I don't always know how to response, so in turn I come here lol. Any 'guidance' is really just based on the responses I'm seeing at the time, which happened to be Runrooster's lol (and it doesn't logically make sense to me). Initially I was telling her not to budge but she seemed indecisive and it felt like she wanted to work there just to get the exposure. Ultimately, she's just going to have to learn from these experiences on her own...mistake or not.