Prevaricate:
to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question.
I filled out an online application for America’s
Thrift Store in September or October, and they called me in November for an
interview. Meanwhile, I had begun working as a cashier at Wal-Mart.
At the Thrift Store interview, I told the
assistant manager that I would consider taking the job, even though the pay was
lower, if I could get a set schedule—be off the days Bruce is off and only work
a few hours/day. They promised me 4 hours/per day, 5 days/week, and I took the
offer. “One more thing,” they said, and handed me a pre-employment questionnaire
asking about my health. There were yes and no questions about every possible
ailment with space to explain any yeses. I had numerous explanations. (At my
age you have a variety of petty ailments, or you are dead.)
They called and told me I would have to
undergo a pre-employment physical. I went back to the store and was handed
three sheets of paper stating that the physical should address the stated concerns,
that it must be completed in 5 days, be on official letterhead, and signed by
an MD, not a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. Since my doctor’s
office was just down the street, I went directly there and made an appointment
for the next Monday, which was exactly 5 working days from that date. I gave
Wal-Mart my two week notice.
On that Monday, my doctor went over the form
with me, asked about each of the concerns, and then signed a note on letterhead
stating that I was able to do the job. I went directly to the store and turned
it in. I did not hear from them for several days, so I called and was told by
the assistant manager that the manager had rejected the letter because “it was
not on official looking letterhead” and “the signature did not indicate that
the signer was a physician.” When I asked her why I had not been notified, I
was told that she had just learned of the problem. In the course of the
conversation, I asked to speak with the manager and told him why I wanted the job.
He informed me that whoever had promised me a set schedule did not have the
authority to do so, and that my schedule would be determined by the vicissitudes
of the retail business.
At this point, I was speechless, but
determined that any breach of contract would not be on my part, so I contacted
my doctor who signed a boilerplate letter stating that I could “return to work.”
Of course, this too was rejected. At that point I took the three pages I had
been given by America’s Thrift back to the doctor’s office. The nursing assistant
took them into the office and came back with a rubber stamped signature on the
page outlining my ailments. I took this back to American Thrift and told the
assistant manager, “My doctor is done, and if you do not accept this, I am done,
too.”
I went to management at Wal-Mart. They were happy to have me stay, and was given a
semi-regular schedule--off on the days Bruce is off. I learned
yesterday that Wal-Mart will be raising minimum wage to $9/hour in April, and
by then I will have a 10% discount. So, it’s all for the best, EXCEPT, my
insurance will not pay for the $149 office visit.
So, ladies and gentlemen, here is the take
away: If you are asked to fill out a pre-employment health statement, prevaricate
like a dog! On second thought, my honesty saved me from having to work for a
rather dishonest bunch, so I will stick to the truth.
