Wednesday, June 22, 2005

My daughter

I had to wait to post this because I was so angry.

As many of you know my daughter is a convicted felon. She is working hard to bring herself above that. Today she recieved a major kick in the teeth and I reacted like a mama bear. Yesterday (Monday)she went to Cracker Barrel and placed an application there for employment. The manager looked at her application and set up an interview for her the next day(Tuesday). She was excited about it as this was the first place she had applied for. This morning when she arrived for her interview she was told that it is company policy that they do not hire covicted felons. This is where I get mad. My daughter called me crying her heart out. How can they sey up an appointment for an interview and then do that to her? On the first page of the application is a big box that asks about felony convictions, she was honest and checked it. How could they overlook that when he looked over her application? Second, it was the first thing he said to her when she came in the door. So he knew this, so if he did somehow miss it the first time he looked at application, then why not call and cancel the interview? This was cruel. As soon as she told me I was on the phone to Cracker Barrell national headquarters and lodged a complaint about that. Not the fact that they do not hire convicted felons, but they way that manager went about it. With Cracker Barrel's reputation for discrimination, you would think that they WOULD NOT say something like that.

My little girl is fighting to rise above her past. She is enrolled in school full time, making new, clean friends. This is why so many go back to the bad life. People kick them in the teeth, judging them. Believing that once they have screwed up they will always be that way. No one promised that life would be easy or fair, but be upfront from the start. Don't be cruel.

I need to go to bed. I am getting upset once again.

23 comments:

  1. I am sorry, it is so unfair, if no one will hire ex cons, then how will they make good on their name and past, I am not familiar with the Cracker Barrel, as we do not have them here, but someone has to be the first to give these people a new fresh start!
    Like you said she was honest, she could have overlooked the question,I hope she finds someplace else willing to hire her and not keep her held back.This is where the little guy comes in I think, not a major company chain type deal, but  a private company willing to give a fair shake to someone!
    They should have called way ahead of time and made an excuse so she didn't get her hopes up. I really am sorry. She needs to be tough and keep marching ahead head held high  
    ~ Julie~ http://journals.aol.com/joolsinwa/randommusingsofmymind

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very sad for your daughter. People need to be given a second chance.  How can they get their lives together and back on track, put the past behind them if people act like this.  It was a very cruel thing to do.  I agree with you that they should never have agreed to interview her if they were going to do this.  I would be as angry as you.  Never mind, she will find something. Give her lots of support - well I know you will and make sure she does not lose heart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This was a rotten way to treat your daughter.  Some corporations will hire a convicted felon depending on the type of conviction.  I agree that after their debt to society is payed, a second chance is a must and should be offered.  I hope your daughter does not give up.  My heart goes out to you both.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your daughter is lucky to have you in her corner.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is such a shame that our society can be so discriminating. Especially corporations such as Cracker Barrel. With you in her corner, I think things will work out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is an awful way to treat ANYONE...why can't they just disclose that on the application so as to not waste ANYONE'S time?   You are so brave!  These are the things that make me cry!  I just wallow in the unfairness, and do nothing...You are a great mother!  JAE

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope your complaint will be taken seriously Celeste.  Your daughter deserves, like anyone else, to be given a second chance.  It was an awful thing for that manager to do.  I hope she finds a job very soon.

    Sandra xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am so sorry for both of you.  That just sucks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Keep your chin up dear...and tell her to do it too.  I worked retail management for many years...you need to follow up on that...that should NEVER have happened.  That idiot has a regional supervisor...find out who it is.                      C.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'll keep you both in my prayers.  Unfair!  You have a right to be angry, Celeste.  Tell your daughter I said that the right job is out there waiting just for her.  Blessings, Penny

    ReplyDelete
  11. I will be interested to hear what CrackerBarrel had to say about your complaint. I know it willl be a hard road but don't lose hope. Keeping you in our prayers...
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  12. How incredibly unfair. Sometimes I think society take a cruel pleasure in kicking former inmates in the teeth--in some twisted way it makes people feel better about themselves. When I worked in a woman's prison, I saw courage and strength beyond most I have witnessed on the outside. These are people who not only need, but deserve, a second chance. And sometimes a third and forth before they prevail. Tell her to hang in-she will prevail and it will be sweet for her. Margo

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sorry that she has to go through this. I believe there is or was a big lawsuit against Cracker Barrell by their employees for discrimination.
    Candace

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh man...that really stinks. I think everyone should be given a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If there policy is to not hire certain people, then it should be stated right up front.... Why waste your daughter's time (AND get her hopes up) for nothing.... I hope that you follow up with that. THAT man shouldn't be a manager! Sorry for your daughter, but with you in her corner I know she will succeed!
    http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

    ReplyDelete

  16. How lucky she is to have a mother that believes what's fair is fair and what's right is right.  What about the saying that someone has mad amends or done their time.  Must they be punished the rest of their life by society.

    It is VERY unfair.  You go, Mama Bear.

    Her life will always be better because you are in her corner.

    http://journals.aol.com/ccancu/CEEGEEATLARGE

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh Honey

    First ((((((hug))))<<<For you and your daughter. I just don't understand why and how people like that manager can live their lives with such passion for hurting others. People are human...people make mistakes and more important...people should be able to move on and start over. The one's who try, like your daughter, deserve the utmost respect, because at least they are trying! Please tell her for me that eventhough I don't know her...I am proud of her. Tell her I said keep her head held high! Funny how soon people forget that it was a former convicted felon who helped stop the muderer of a judge in Atlanta a few months ago. Please tell her I will be sending her good hopes and thoughts that she find a job soon! Never give in to bitter people!

    Love, Carly

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Celeste! Sorry I am not sure what a felon is?Must be american term for criminal record? If it is I am really,really sorry for you and your daughter.Where is the justice if you cant be allowed to right your wrongs and earn a living?You are a good Mum and have faith in your daughter,hope something really good turns up for her.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm with you, this matter could have been handled in a better way. I hope she finds a job that she will like more then this one. At least she is trying and that is a good sign. Paula

    ReplyDelete
  20. Celeste, that must have been so hard for both of you.  That was just plain cruel - they could at least have called her, and if they didn't, they should have given her the courtesy of an interview, and left her feeling ok about the whole thing.  It stinks - and good for you with the mama bear thing - go get 'em!

    Vicky
    http://www.livejournal.com/users/vxv789/

    ReplyDelete
  21. This makes me sooo mad! If Cracker Barrel had such a company policy; why don't they state so on their applications, at the very beginning, so as no to waste anyones time or get their hopes up? This manager is not much of a manager because it should have been handled differently. Tell your daughter to keep her head up and know that we are all pulling for her.
    Carlene

    ReplyDelete
  22. That wasnt fair to her but at lest she know that was not a good place to work anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is double punishment and totally unfair.  Not really expecting an answer and perhaps being too nosy but is she getting financial aide at school?  If so, she is more than likely qualified for a 20 hours a week work study program that has a minimun wage if not more.  Also there are other jobs open at the school for students only.  The ones at my school are $10-12 an hour, but I think California's minimum wage is higher than most states.  Good luck. I am so sorry, it always pains me to hear about her struggles.  You are right, they are kicked and kicked until they surrender to the same old behavior that people expect them to become.  But with you as mommie, I know you and her will get through this, I am thinking of you.  

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcomed, spam is not tolerated,