[SML] interview questions

[JIM VOGEL]

Richard,
My point was not that you have unsafe theatres, sorry if it came across that way. You are obviously very knowledgeable, qualified and well respected in the theatre community.

I was trying to say that questions like that would be way too intrusive for me. It shouldn’t matter to an employer if I have ever been involved in a workmen’s comp claim, or hurt on the job. If it does matter to the employer, than that isn’t a place I would want to work.

I was suggesting that a qualified, competent, safe, hardworking person might choose not to work for an employer who asked questions like that.

Again, sorry if you found my comment to be offensive.
Cheers
Jim



From: Richard Niederberg <ladesigners at gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2019 3:33 PM
To: JIM VOGEL <james.vogel at wisc.edu>
Cc: Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net>; Tim Catlett <tmcatlett at gmail.com>; Richard Niederberg <ladesigners at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [SML] interview questions

Dear Jim,
I have built and/or operated over 100 theatres since 1970. (185 theatres in 38 states) and have NEVER been held responsible for a Workman's Compensation or ADA claim. I 'Play in Safe' with safe working conditions, proper equipment, and proper training during the 400+ productions that I have produced, plus rentals and co-productions. I want my employees to retire with the proverbial 'white picket fence' around a house that they have paid off and be healthy and happy enough to enjoy MANY retired years with their spouse.
/s/ Richard [Esq.]

On Fri, Oct 11, 2019 at 12:24 PM JIM VOGEL <james.vogel at wisc.edu<mailto:james.vogel at wisc.edu>> wrote:
Personally, I would find questions like “Have you ever been hurt on a job or ever filed a Workman's Compensation claim?” and “Do you have, or suspect you have, a disability that may sometime require a reasonable accommodation?” fairly offensive. If someone asked me those in an interview, it would be a red flag that they are not someone I would want to work for.

From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net>> On Behalf Of Richard Niederberg via Stagecraft
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2019 2:08 PM
To: Tim Catlett <tmcatlett at gmail.com<mailto:tmcatlett at gmail.com>>
Cc: Richard Niederberg <ladesigners at gmail.com<mailto:ladesigners at gmail.com>>; Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>>
Subject: Re: [SML] interview questions

Dear Tim,
Other. questions: Do you have,or suspect you have, a disability that may sometime require a reasonable accommodation? [You are NOT asking what that disability is.]  Do you have continuous access to a reliable mode of transportation to travel to/from a work site?
/s/ Richard
_________

On Fri, Oct 11, 2019 at 11:46 AM Tim Catlett <tmcatlett at gmail.com<mailto:tmcatlett at gmail.com>> wrote:
Thanks Richard. Obviously you’re the legal expert in the room and I understand the position you’re identifying. From the perspective of someone who hires people without any full legal or HR support, I am simply more cautious about things like that.

Best,

Tim Catlett

On Fri, Oct 11, 2019 at 1:35 PM Richard Niederberg <ladesigners at gmail.com<mailto:ladesigners at gmail.com>> wrote:
Dear Tim,
That's true, but doesn't effect anything but WHEN a Question is asked, often in writing/under oath. This is similar to Box Office personnel when you ask if they have ever been bonded or has there been any items on a Juvenile criminal record that has been expunged.
/s/ Richard [Esq.]

On Fri, Oct 11, 2019 at 8:00 AM Tim Catlett via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>> wrote:
Just to be clear, according to the EEOC:


An employer may ask questions about an applicant's prior workers' compensation claims or occupational injuries after it has made a conditional offer of employment, but before employment has begun, as long as it asks the same questions of all entering employees in the same job category.

I’d err on the side of caution and either avoid asking this, or be clear that it will be on the background check.

Best,

Tim Catlett

On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 3:13 PM Richard Niederberg via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>> wrote:
Additional questions: Have you ever been hurt on a job or ever filed a Workman's Compensation claim? Do you own the right hand tools for the job? Do you own your own Personal Protective Equipment and know the limitations and how to use them?
/s/ Richard

On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 10:34 AM JIM VOGEL via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>> wrote:
Tell me about a time where you had to help a difficult customer/person; why did you consider them difficult; how did you interact with them; were you able to resolve the issue, and if so, how?

-----Original Message-----
From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net>> On Behalf Of Andrew Vance via Stagecraft
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2019 11:58 AM
To: Stagecraft Mailing List <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>>
Cc: Andrew Vance <atvanceld at gmail.com<mailto:atvanceld at gmail.com>>
Subject: Re: [SML] interview questions

Below are some questions I find useful when interviewing folks.  I've omitted the one about past job experiences and whatnot because I'm assuming you're not asking for those types of questions.

What first interested you in this job and why did you apply?
What motivates you?
Why did you choose lighting as a career?
What are your hobbies?
How fo you evaluate success?
How do you negotiate work and personal life?
Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
What makes you frustrated and how do you deal with it?
If you were on a non-stop nine hour flight, who would you want sitting next to you on the plane?  Real/fictional, living or dead.

--
Sincerely,

Andrew Vance
Lighting Designer

On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 9:56 AM Kenneth Zinkl via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net<mailto:stagecraft at theatrical.net>> wrote:
>
> I'm finding myself in a position where I will be involved in interviewing applicants but not making final decisions. The opening is for an on call AV technician and I'd like to get a good list of questions to ask. If anyone is willing to share their favorite question or questions they've asked or been asked I would most appreciate the help in building a more complete list of potential questions than I can create on my own.
>
> TIA
> Ken
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--
/s/ Richard
_________
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--
Tim Catlett
Lizard’s Dream Theatrical, LLC
tmcatlett at gmail.com<mailto:tmcatlett at gmail.com>
Mobile: 414-975-4424

Sent via mobile...probably on a train
____________________________________________________________
For list information see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
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--
/s/ Richard
_________
--
Tim Catlett
Lizard’s Dream Theatrical, LLC
tmcatlett at gmail.com<mailto:tmcatlett at gmail.com>
Mobile: 414-975-4424

Sent via mobile...probably on a train


--
/s/ Richard
_________


--
/s/ Richard
_________
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