Blast from the Past

pigpen

I'd put my old personal feelings aside and look at the interview alone.. the chances are with lots of other interviewees he is unlikely to be the ideal candidate anyway..

It is worth mentioning to the panel this person is known to her and make it known she is happy to go with the majority vote if they think he is the ideal candidate..

He deserves a chance if he is the best applicant for the position.

Justicia

What an excellent username for the title of this thread!! :eek:

Angry_Bear

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Consequences of actions, innit? If I'd been mean and spiteful to somebody, and they turned up on the interview panel of a job I really wanted, well, I'd deserve everything I got, wouldn't I?

But did you never do anything as a kid that you regret? Would you think it was fair if that was held against you now as an adult?

I've certainly never been a bully, but there are times when I was a child that I was selfish, thoughtless and stupid. I would hate to think that any of those times would be held against me now in a professional setting.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Angry_Bear wrote: »

But did you never do anything as a kid that you regret? Would you think it was fair if that was held against you now as an adult?

I've certainly never been a bully, but there are times when I was a child that I was selfish, thoughtless and stupid. I would hate to think that any of those times would be held against me now in a professional setting.

Not to other people, no.

I possibly regret deciding it was a good idea to climb a 10 foot wall to get to the 25 foot cherry tree in the garden of the abandoned house - but the scar only shows if I wear shorts. Had I been caught and at a later date denied a job because it transpires that the house wasn't abandoned, then it would have been purely due to my own actions and I can't argue with that.

But we're not talking about cherries or apples here - we're talking about psychological abuse of another person and every child knows it's wrong to do that above the age of about two and a half. That sort of bullying results in self harm and suicides far too often when we get to teenage years - you certainly can't convince me that a teenager has no concept of how words can hurt; that's exactly why they use them.



So, no, I have absolutely zero sympathy if this person doesn't get a job and, had I ever been such a person, I would be perfectly prepared to be called to account for it in adulthood.

meritaten

yes she should immediately tell the rest of the interview team or her line manager that she knew this person in school and cannot be objective as she had 'issues' with him in the past.
because if he is taken on and like the previous bloke has to be sacked - you know who he will blame? Yes, your friend!

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I would have to tell the rest of the interviewing panel AND recommend that they don't take this person on because he is a known bully.

As an adult, you have to take all the information that you are aware of to make a decision; however the decision in this instance means she is in a vulnerable position and she needs to withdraw after discussing it with colleagues.

tesuhoha

Revenge is a dish best served very cold.

ciderwithrosie_2

I think if I were her I'd be careful of how she words her reason for withdrawing from the interviews. I think withdrawing because there is a personal reason is definitely the thing to do because she can't be objective, but to bring up that this, now a grown man, used to call her names at school (and apparently she's never gotten over it) may be putting herself in the role of victim, emotional, highly strung type person which will do her no favours in her career.

meritaten

I agree ciderwithrosie, but, it shouldn't stop her withdrawing from the process citing personal 'issues' with him. That could cover a multitude of reasons and she needn't elaborate if she doesn't want to!

Gavin83

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

I would have to tell the rest of the interviewing panel AND recommend that they don't take this person on because he is a known bully.

I'm not actually sure it's legal to add personal information you know about somebody to an interview process. An issue you had with someone in school does not reflect on their ability to do a job now. My girlfriend who works in HR is asleep at the mo but I'll ask her when she wakes up.

Saying he is a known bully is a bit of a grey area to be honest and I'm not sure you can apply a trait someone had as a child into their adult life. Where do you draw the line? Would you call someone a known thief in an interview because they stole your pencil case in primary school?

Of course if she wants revenge then go for it. However if I was employing her and she came to me with this information I'd lose respect for her. Of course theres a chance her employers might not but is it really worth the risk when she doesn't have to take this course of action?