Wow, it's been a few weeks since my last posting. I had meant to relate how the job search process works at Salvation Army, so without further ado ...
After finishing the Essential Employment Skills course (or graduating the culinary course in my case) the client is considered in Phase 2 of the Vocational Program. This means going out into the 'real world' and basically applying for jobs. Clients are discouraged to make contacts through the old fashioned method of "Hi, are you guys hiring?" or "Yo dude, got any applications?" or some such.
Rather, clients are urged to make contact via means of talking to the boss directly (in my case, the chef) by means of introducing yourself as an honest guy offering an honest days work in return for an honest paycheck -- honestly.
In Phase 2 the client's work week is reduced to 24 hours (3 days) in order to facilitate their job search. Clients are expected to make five applications or efforts each week. Each effort is to be recorded on a sheet provided by SA which notes the employer's name, address, phone #, etc. Clients must also keep a diary of sorts that records all pertinent information as well. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action such as loss of weekly gratuity ($15 in my case); or in the case of repeated non-compliance, expulsion from the program. I've seen a number of people let go through this manner. With 4 days off, the temptation can be too much for some people to simply f**k off. SA understandably doesn't want to keep clients around who simply want to hang out on their dime.
Of those five efforts, one can be an online search or application. Ironic, because so many businesses today will only accept applications over the Internet. I expect that number will increase in the coming years
I'm told that the time limit for finding a job is 3 months max. That figure seems to vary according to the client involved. I know several people who have hung around 4-6 months before they found work (part-time at that). Others have gotten the boot within 2 months. Then again, they might have been causing trouble I didn't know about.
(If you commit various violations like using excessive profanity or being too aggressive to staff or fellow clients you're subject to being 'written up'. Write ups are usually initiated by staff or security, but clients can write up fellow clients as well. The latter case is given low priority since the violation reported is often something on the order of "X didn't say hi to me this morning", or "X never paid me back the $5 they borrowed", and so on.) Too many write ups from the staff can result in expulsion. Again, the tolerance and punishment for certain violations varies from client to client.)
Believe it or not, some clients cheat(!) when it comes to their job search efforts. (Not your humble narrator, of course.) Some clients will simply search out businesses online or from the Yellow Pages, and fill in the pertinent info from that source. A contact name can often be found on a website or with a short phone call too find the name of the manager in charge of hiring. (This is not intended as a guide for cheating SA, btw; it's just stuff that happens) The caseworkers claim that all contact info is verified but I've never heard of that happening. But the staff is overworked as it is without having to chase down their clients' job leads.
I myself have been concentrating on fast food restaurants. This is mostly because there's a chance of a quicker hire and opportunity for advancement. Unfortunately, Mickey D's, Burger King, et al tend to hire only on a part-time basis with the idea of proving yourself worthy of full-time hours. Don't like the practice but I understand the logic. One manager told me he has any number of people come in and get the training, then bolt after a couple of paychecks never to be heard from. This is often done by teenagers saving up for a car downpayment or video game/electronic gear. Junkies/alcoholics and other substance abusers are also perpetrators here; they'll get clean long enough to get the job, then leave when they have enough cash for a couple of fixes.
To further update to progress of various former classmates and fellow clients: One guy recently got a gig with a small Italian restaurant, while another (the guy who shouts/sings "It's your love, Lord!") landed a job with the Cheesecake Factory. No word on if they allow Gospel singing on the job. But if this guy gave thanks whenever he evacuated his bowels, he must have really rejoiced when he got this job.
Another guy got a job with a VFW outpost -- this after he took off for a weekend without telling anyone (including SA staff) and reportedly got so high he was detected by radar. He was found out, but allowed to stay when most other clients would have been dismissed for the same violation. (This is an example of the varying punishment/tolerance I cited earlier.)
Another fellow got booted from SA because he could no longer afford the rent. After you find a job, you're transitioned into Phase 3. This means you're a client in name only and no longer required to show up for roll call, turn in time sheets, or adhere to any other such rules. However, once you have an income you are required to pay rent to SA. It's not bad, usually around 30% of the gross. But the arrangement makes some clients think twice (it has me). While you are moved to a two-man dorm room and granted freedom from many client strictures, you still live under SA's roof. That means no drugs or alcohol, no fraternization with the opposite sex -- or the same sex for that matter -- and no excessive noise, profanity, etc.
SA sets up a savings account for the client and automatically deducts 30% off the top. The rest of the money goes to things like a bus pass, food, clothing and other essentials (rent comprises 30% of the amount left over from these deductions). In effect, the client must surrender their paycheck to SA, who doles it out according to this arrangement. It's not a bad thing, but many don't like the idea of signing over their money to SA. Still, it seems to have worked out well for many clients who have gone on to lead stable lives. Then there are guys like the aforementioned who may never get the message. This guy got three paychecks and blew (pun intended) all the money on lap dances. When he was short on rent, SA showed him the door. Can you blame them?
The strangest and perhaps most tragic story of a client literally losing it all involves an ex-classmate and friend who did something many of us found unbelievable. But to find out what that act involved, you'll have to tune in for the next installment ...
Late shout out to Marvel's The Avengers for shattering box office records across the globe. You humble narrator knew it all along, of course. SPOILER ALERT: The shadowy character was Thanos. Always wanted to do that!
No comments:
Post a Comment