Q. I was very interested in the first item of your Job Doc column of Oct. 14 about filling out an employment application when going in for a first interview. My question is about providing my Social Security number to any place I apply. I have been to interviews where they ask me to fill out my complete work history, references, and provide a SSN. I don't mind - and understand - the first two parts, but I don't see the value in providing my SSN until we are much further along in the process - ready to make/accept an offer contingent on references and background check. Is there a need for concern around this, or should I just meekly comply? I would rather not have this information loose in their system until it is necessary. Human resources often reviews the forms looking for missing parts, and there is scary language about how you have filled it out honestly and completely. Leaving out the SSN seems to breach this acknowledgement. Any suggestions?
A. Many job application forms ask for an applicant's Social Security number. I agree with you that there is no need to include your Social Security number during a preliminary screening interview. Your instinct to protect your privacy is valid. My advice would be to withhold your Social Security number until it is absolutely necessary to disclose it.
Employers need Social Security numbers to conduct background and/or credit checks. These happen later in the interviewing process, when both you and the employer are more certain there is a good fit between you and the position. When an employer does not require a background or credit check, a Social Security number is not needed until the applicant is welcomed as an employee. Then, of course, employees include their SSNs on all payroll and tax forms, such as W-4s and I-9s (authorization to work legally in the United States).
When you next encounter that dreaded blank space asking for a SSN, consider this alternative strategy that might work, depending on the type of job that you are applying for. Put an asterisk and the note, "see below" in the space marked SSN. At the bottom of the page, write a footnote which includes the following information: *My Social Security number will be provided when I am hired or when it is needed to perform a background/credit check.
Your desire to protect your privacy should be respected by employers - especially in this age of identity theft, says Robert M. Shea, an employment and labor lawyer with Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton.
Q. I am a multipurpose facilities technician in a school district in Greater Boston. I have been at my job for about seven months. I was apparently covered by some contract which was never shown to me when I was hired. I'm not sure how I am supposed to abide by the terms of a contract I have never seen, and I asked the other MPFT's about this. Apparently one co-worker got a copy of the MPFT contract, but he said that getting it was a big deal. It seems like administration does not want us to see our contract, and I don't understand this. Why do you suppose this is? Don't I have a right to see my own contract? Any explanation you can offer would be helpful.
A. By starting work, you have accepted some sort of implicit terms of employment, as that is what happens when an individual is hired. As a public employee, I suspect you may actually be covered by a contract and/or a collective bargaining agreement.
Usually a contract is a document signed by both the employer and the employee; and spells out your duties, hours, salary, duration of employment. Apparently you never signed your contract, as you never saw it. If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement through a union rather than an individual contract, that could explain why you never signed a "contract."
I am both puzzled and troubled by your administration's attempts to hide information that is readily available to you. When your employment is covered by a contract, a copy of that contract should be in your personnel file. By law, every employee has a right to review his or her personnel file. Ask to see yours, and ask to make a copy of any documents in your file, including your contract if there is one.
As a public school employee, your contract (and your salary) are a part of the public record. "Your contract is subject to disclosure under the Public Records law," says Marc Greenbaum, professor of employment law at Suffolk University. In addition, if you are a member of a union, your position may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. You can request a copy of any relevant collective bargaining agreements from your union representative.
Read your contract and/or collective bargaining agreement carefully to make sure this administration is in compliance with all the terms included. Armed with a copy of your contract and/or collective bargaining agreement, you can make sure this administration is not able to violate any terms or conditions of your employment.
Q. I am an alcoholic in recovery. In the past, I have sometimes been fired from jobs because of conflicts with my supervisors and co-workers. I tend to take on too much work, because I'm afraid to say no when my boss asks me to do something, and then I feel overwhelmed and don't finish the work. When I feel stressed, I lash out at my co-workers. Sometimes I take offense, even when no offense was intended. I just started a new job that I really like, and I'm terrified that I'm going to lose it. Please help! What can I do to keep this job?
A. Anyone starting a new job hopes to avoid past mistakes, succeed, and get along well with the boss and co-workers. More workers are fired because of an inability to get along with a boss and/or co-workers than because of poor performance.
Any new job requires a period of adjustment. For addicts in recovery like yourself a new workplace can be especially challenging. Take some time to "get the lay of the land," and to sit back and observe the corporate culture, if you can. Watch how the boss interacts with others and observe his or her management style.
Try to take a wait and see approach with your co-workers. Observe how and when your co-workers socialize. What are some of the topics they talk about? Resist the urge to either share too much personal information with your co-workers right away, or, the opposite, to isolate and appear to be stand-offish while avoiding all social contact. By observing, you can learn what is considered appropriate behavior in your new workplace, and you can set appropriate boundaries for yourself.
Especially in the beginning as you adjust to the new job, make sure you are getting the outside support that will help you maintain your sobriety. This may mean attending extra meetings, or talking with your sponsor more frequently, etc. On the job, you need to take responsibility for your recovery by acting professionally at all times. No matter how stressed you are feeling, or whatever else is going on in your life, try not to show it on the job. Other people don't care about personal issues; on the job, you can't use your status as a recovering addict as an excuse to lash out at co-workers or to be insubordinate to your boss.
Addicts in recovery have difficulty in the workplace when they are under stress - as in meeting deadlines or with unexpected complications, says Nancy Brook, a career coach who specializes in helping individuals in recovery. Instead of responding in "knee-jerk fashion," addicts need to stop, think, practice stress management and self-management techniques, then act, says Brook.
What you can do is to try to manage your work and your work environment so that you can minimize stress, get your work done, and get along well with your boss and co-workers. Start by asking for a detailed job description, and be clear about where your job ends and someone else's job begins. Clarify expectations, and learn how you will be evaluated. What are the measures of success for you in this job? What is expected of you in the first three/six months on the job? Is this reasonable? If not, try to negotiate, and ask for what you will need to be successful on the job. Don't forget that it's in your boss' best interest too to make sure that you succeed.
E-mail can become a recovering addict's friend. It gives you extra time to think and to keep your emotions in check. Another strategy is to make notes before making a phone call or before and after attending meetings.
Many companies, especially larger ones, have employment assistance programs, which have confidential counseling and referral services for individuals who have on-the-job issues, including those in recovery.
If this resource is available to you, consider taking advantage of this service. If not, you may be able to find some additional support through one of the 12-step programs or with an individual career coach or group.
Brook and co-author Cynthia Kranin have compiled some additional tips and techniques to try in their book, "Thriving at Work." The book can be ordered through authenticwork.com.
Roni F. Noland is a career counselor/coach in private practice. She can be reached at rfnoland@comcast.net. E-mail questions to jobdoc@globe.com or mail to Job Doc, Boston Globe, Box 55819, Boston, 02205-5819.
