After a long and rigorous recruiting process involving tests, assignments, and interviews, I was hired as for a telecommuting editor position. The short answer for why such a long “Con” is that I was fired after 1.5 days on the job. Reasons cited were a "lack of fit" and a whole bunch of accusations regarding the lead-up to my first day and my on-boarding process. No one—from upper management down to HR assistant—had intimated anything negative at any time pre-firing (in fact, it was all exclamation points and smiley faces), so this all came as a complete and total shock to me. They said that I inherently “should have known” about some of these things, which I found absurd. Apparently mind readers only need apply. They also said they based their decision to let me go largely on reasons before I even started the job, citing a “difference of culture”. They could not have based their decision on performance anyway, as I had only been actually doing the job for 1.5 days. Throughout the conversation, my mention of the hurdles I had heretofore jumped over (IT errors, Namely delays, forgotten e-mails, etc.)—yet didn’t make a fuss about as I was trying to put my best foot forward—were brushed off. In any event, though they may have felt they had valid reasons to let me go (whether I agree with those reasons or not), it was the WAY they did it that is disturbing: presumptuous and dishonest, and particularly passive-aggressive in that neither of the people on the conference call—HR for the PETA Foundation and s/o at the top of the department—had I seen or spoken to since weeks prior. On the other hand, the only supervisor with whom I’d been in recent contact, and who should have deigned to make an appearance, was nowhere to be seen. I called an employment lawyer post-call and he told me that, while the circumstances were obviously fishy, PETA is an at-will employer and can fire an employee at any time for any reason or no reason. Alas, that is the nature of the beast. In speaking with two former employees at PETA following this ordeal, I was told I dodged a bullet: they described PETA as cultish, with little room for stepping outside the box, no mobility, and high pressure. Also the pay is extremely poor for the work demanded. Today I am really glad I didn’t stay longer with the organization. As someone who values transparency and forthrightness in the workplace, I would have been unhappy. If you do, too, I would advise you to bring your skills and talents elsewhere, as I have. There are many other rights organizations where staff would not be treated this way. I certainly have never been so professionally disrespected in 15+ years of employment. Current employees at PETA will likely take a dim view to this review and to any criticism of PETA, for that matter. But that’s normal for an organization like this where overzealousness is considered a good thing. Management clearly reads the reviews, but judging by the other not-so-shiny ones, doesn’t seem to take any substantive action. My review is not meant to be a gripe, but more so a fair forewarning to all those considering taking on employment with PETA or the PETA Foundation. This is MY experience, unexaggerated and unadulterated in any way, posted after much reflection.
