I had been interviewing with the Los Angeles Tourism Board for 3 months, yes, 3 entire months. I received an offer to start next Monday. 9 interviews, most of them in person, 6 professional references, to be told that it wouldn’t be moving forward.
It was full transparency about my work history and my background from the get-go. They wanted to contact every single employer. I told them that I wouldn’t be comfortable with them contacting one because it would put them in contact with my abusive ex-spouse. I provided them with every single tax document I held in my possession. Tax documents that showed position, length of employment, and even my pay! Information more plentiful than any potential employer can have the privilege of knowing under ordinary circumstances. I hoped that they would understand and respect that boundary.
Instead, I found myself with a rescinded offer. This is not okay! I can’t even begin to express my anger and dismay that human dignity is lost in the application process.
I know this post will strike some as unprofessional and I am sorry for that. I don’t even know how I will feel about this post after my disbelief and disappointment has faded. However, it needs to be said: Enough is enough. It’s been 4 years since I left my abusive marriage. Victims of domestic violence should not have to carry that burden for the rest of their lives. I should not have to carry that shame for the rest of my life. It should certainly be enough to respect an applicant’s boundaries at a human level.