Employment Question:

[wednes]

Okay, so I got offered a job interview at Concordia College, which is a small private college very near me.

The listing I answered was a different listing than what they have on their website.



I answered an ad that said: Office & Clerical
Administrative Asst. F/T, small Christian nonprofit in Ann Arbor. Must be highly organized, friendly, adept in MS Office programs $10-12/hr+excellent benefits. Fax resume to 734-xxx-7974 or email xxxxxxx@juno.com

But the site ad says:

MOST Ministries is seeking a committed Christian who has computer and office skills to maintain website, create brochures, and other various clerical duties. Proficient skills in written and oral communication and efficient organizational skills are necessary as well as a working knowledge of computer graphics and design.

Blah blah blah, skip ahead:

Requirements:

Strong Witness to Jesus Christ, a Reflection in all Capacities
High School Diploma, Advanced Education Preferred
3-5 years experience in office setting
Demonstrated, excellent secretarial skills with the ability to prioritize
Good verbal and written communication with attention to detail
Ability to Receive, Handle and Transfer Telephone Calls and Messages Accurately, Promptly and Courteously
Ability to accurately and efficiently organize, file, and maintain records and files

I realize that they are a private college, but is it really legal to require such a thing? This is even more annoying than Comcast and their "what do you do when you're not at work" style drug test.

Too bad, too. I have great respect for sincere Christians who actually follow the teachings of Jesus.
Plus, I really need a damn job.

Comments

[flinx.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, as they're a private institution and they're up-front about this requirement, then, yes, they can do as they damn well please. If this was something that they'd instituted after 10 or 15 years and then laid people off due to, that'd be grounds for suit.

Otherwise... I thought Concordia was a Catholic college? Asking for 'witnesses to Christ' puts them way over on the (*icky icky poo*) evangelical side. *scratches head* Although they are just across the street from the Lutheran Synod's local HQ...

[onstar.livejournal.com]

That really does smack of discrimination and doesn't seem to fit the picture of being a sincere christian. I dealt with MOST ministries as part of my job once, and if it makes you feel any better, the workplace is in what seems to be a tiny cinderblock building with not much sunlight, and the women that I dealt with were very crabby.

[groovesinorbit]

Ugh. But yeah, private schools can do whatever they want. Theoretically, they can't take any Federal or state funding because of that, though. How that works in practice nowadays, I have no idea.

[lirrin.livejournal.com]

It's legal for a Christian organization to require that. They can't make exceptions or pick and choose, but they can make it a bonafide requirement of working there. Like making all your staff be over 21 in a bar isn't age discrimination, or making all your locker room attendants be of the same gender as the locker they're working in isn't gender discrimination.

Does suck, though. I'd get the oogin's working in a place like that, frankly.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

That sounds about right. I don't know that I neccesarily want to support missionaries anyway. I just wanted a nice, clean office job that didn't pay an embarassingly low wage.

Thanks!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

It's just so damn frustrating.
I mean, I've got nothing against Jesus and I doubt that He would think my paganness...paganosity...whatever would prevent me from being able to competantly file or answer phones.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

That's probably true. I mean, they are missionaries after all. I don't really beleive in that.

It just sucks.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I do not think they are Catholic. Technically, I'd be qualified for that. Ask me about Transubstanciation...go ahead, ASK ME!!! ;-}

One of my friends goes there. She says it can get pretty hardcore.

[thehula.livejournal.com]

Technically, they're not allowed to even ask you about it, I don't think. But they probably get around it somehow. Even private companies are not allowed to discriminate based on religion. That's why the two different ads, I bet.

WWWD (what would wednes do?)

[wednes.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought.

One time, I was interviewing at (shut up) Taco Bell and they asked me if I was Jewish because I had on a Star of Dave. I said "you're not allowed to ask me that" and she said okay. Then a minute later she asked if I had any kids. Even though I don't, I don't beleive I should answer such questions. Anyway, I never worked at Taco Bell, and still managed to move on.

Like the south, I shall rise again. Wait...
Frankly, I don't guess I want to work for missionaries.

[klynnfrost.livejournal.com]

Concordia is Luthren, and I don't think you would be very happy there.

When I was there, my friend in the dorm was told to take her rainbow flag down from her window because it was a learning distraction and they had recieved numerous complaints. I asked someone at the Faith Action Network if that was even legal and he said, unfortunatley, yes.

Aside from that, they make their educators sign a contract that states they won't teach anything that goes against the church, if that's anymore of an indicator.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I guess I'd better call and cancel. I was actually waiting to hear from you on this topic since I assumed you'd know the most about them.

Thanks!

[groovesinorbit]

Yeah, Jesus appears to have been a little smarter than most of his minions. Hang in there.

[derekfz.livejournal.com]

I was going to, as I'd told myself last night, call you (ON THE TELEPHONE, NO LESS) tonight because in just one week I'll be traveling to Ann Arbor and I wanted to discuss with you the whole visiting, etc. thing, but I can't do much talking right now on account of it hurts and makes me want to rip half of my face off (as is explained in my to-be-posted-in-a-few-moments-time next journal entry) but obviously, I need to be in contact with you about it at some point. Um.. e-mail me or something in response to this comment (and I'll see if I'm in better talking condition in a day or two.)

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Okay. Well, no big.

I let H know that you'd be crashing out here for a few hours or whatever. You can feel free to Email me c/o LJ and my cell # is still the same. Or you can text message me via my info page. It's a dime or whatever, but that's no big deal. Try to keep it under a buck. ;-}

[uterdic.livejournal.com]

If they ask during the interview, be honest and ask them to forgive you for your sins.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Hahahahaa!

[maxverbosity.livejournal.com]

They're a Lutheran school, I think. Sadly, private schools can basically make their own requirements when it comes to most anything.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yeah well...they can shut up!
That's tellin' 'em.

[uterdic.livejournal.com]

In all seriousness, I think you should go for it. You are qualified in all other aspects, and seriously, they may not get into it too much, if you get in for said interview.

[uterdic.livejournal.com]

nevermind, I just read Kassy's post about what she knows about it and it doesn't sound like a good match for you, or anyone not just like them

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I don't know...since they're allowed to require that I would think that they would ask. I also don't want to spend $20 on cab fare if it's just gonna waste money and time.

Besides, when I applied I didn't know they were missionaries.
I really don't think I can work for missionaries.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's too bad really. Like so many others...it may seem like a good gig but it's not the right gig for me.

I'm applying to Borders again this week as it's been more than 6 months.

[vjsmom.livejournal.com]

I must say I'm surprised. I knew a guy who went to Concordia--he was a really cool guy--free-spirited, smart, nice, never talked about religion with me (we mostly smoked stuff together). Of course, that was 20+ years ago--I suppose the school could have changed a bit. Or maybe that guy was not the typical Concordia student.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I was pretty surprised too. This is a pretty liberal area, after all.

[bemoreshameless.livejournal.com]

I know for a fact that most pagans can answer phones exceptionally well. And taking detailed messages? WAY ahead of the curve.

[kindofblue328.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am Concordia Alumn. And I will certainly agree with Klynn that you would be unhappy there. I'm Lutheran and I could not stand how closed-minded they were.

Being a Liberal Wiccan, you would hate that job, most certainly.

[maxverbosity.livejournal.com]

Oh, I would have more than that to say to them, none of it polite, most of it laced with expletives. That's just me though. They fired a woman who worked at a school here in Wayne County because she was a single to-be mom and this was a major no-no according to this particular Catholic school. Cases are still pending. It's pretty sick really, that they are allowed to dictate requirements even to that extent.

[lickingtoad.livejournal.com]

Wait! would we have to stop being frie ... er ... lovers?!

I SAY NAY-NAY!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

LOL Thanks!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I canceled this morning. And the lady was "very sorry she didn't get to meet me." She was too, because I am great fun to meet!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I suppose if I wanted to open a pagan school, I'd want to keep Bible bangers from infiltrating. But I'd base that on someone's behavior and not their background. I'm pretty sure that's what Jesus would do as well.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Well, duh.

[klynnfrost.livejournal.com]

Yes you are!