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Carol Kleiman / Syndicated columnist
Courtesy is lacking in this labor market

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Q. Why is it that so many human-resource departments and employers treat potential employees so rudely these days? I would think they would know the importance of treating people with respect.

A. Because power corrupts — and they have all the power in today's labor market.

Q. I was highly recommended by my supervisors for positions that were lateral moves that were important for me to make. But I didn't get any of them. Instead, I was told by my supervisors that because my brother-in-law is vice president of the division, they were concerned about how it would look to others if I got the job. Should I tell them how disappointed I am? I don't want to be perceived as a troublemaker and hurt my future chances.

A. Your future chances already have been hurt, so you absolutely have to discuss this with your superiors. You have to find out if having a relative in a high position will hold you back forever. That certainly doesn't come under the heading of troublemaker. It's called survival. And the person who might really know the answer may be your very own brother-in-law.

Q. Since my last employer closed down, I've been working but want to get back into my previous field. I have a letter of reference detailing my many achievements signed by the president of the bankrupt company. But it's 2 years old. Is it out of date by now or can I use it?

A. A letter like that is never out of date.

Q. I feel I'm lucky to have a job I love to do, but my boss is so disrespectful of me that I feel the stress mounting. I've tried to work things out with my supervisor but without any luck. I know he doesn't like me. I never had problems like this in the same job with a different boss. Do you have any advice?

A. When bosses don't like you, they find ways to get rid of you. It's time for you to take a look at other options before you get completely stressed out.

Q. I decided to quit a job during training and before the end of my probationary period. Do I have to list that job on my résumé and job application?

A. If you just worked there very briefly and know you won't get a good reference, leave it out. But you might want to bring it up in your interview as a temporary job if any of the skills you picked up in that short time apply to the job you want. But watch out: to mention you dropped out might backfire.
 
Q. I work for a small, privately held corporation, and the owners have taken large sums for personal use. Now they are seriously delinquent on bills and employees are expected to tighten their belts. What can we do when the owners bleed the company dry and then plead poverty? We are all angry and discouraged. Morale is at an all-time low. Any advice?

A. You have an advantage in that you know what's going on. Too many people who work for privately held companies don't find out about the machinations of the owners until it's too late. It's time for you to get out of there — before the bankruptcy is declared.

E-mail questions to Carol Kleiman at ckleiman@tribune.com. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.