Ever Hear Of Contacting A Spouse About Employment?

Hey y'all....

Have you ever heard of a company that contacts your spouse, and wants to discuss truck driving with them? I feel like someone has to check with my mommy to make sure it's ok to take the job. Maybe I'm just reading too far into it, but this sounds absurd to me.

Honestly, I think it sounds like a great idea for a few reasons.

• There is a huge failure rate with new drivers coming into the industry. Obviously leaving your family at home is one big reason. This lets companies get ahead of the 8 ball a little bit by finding out how the family feels about this and whether or not they're prepared to cope with the challenges.
• It will give the company a little more insight into the driver. Companies sift through massive amounts of job applications hoping to find the right ones. This is one way to get a better understanding of the potential driver and the circumstances at home.
• It helps bring a little more loyalty to the company because the driver and their spouse will know that the company values their opinion and genuinely cares that things will be alright at home. A lot of major companies offer marriage counseling and individual counseling either free of charge or for a very nominal fee. They know that separating spouses is incredibly stressful and difficult for everyone, especially in the beginning. So they're doing all they can to make sure everyone is ok because it makes for happier, more productive drivers that stick around longer.

Well put Brett...

I guess I just put my emotions into it. Out of all the companies recruiting, this one in particular is calling. In my years of dodging bullets and broken bones; I have never heard of any employer calling a spouse...

Thanks again...

Dan, I've heard of a few companies that do this. It's a great idea. A lot of people go into this and fall flat on their face because they had unrealistic expectations. The company is merely trying to make sure everybody understands what they're getting into. I think it shows some real responsibility and commitment on the company's part to help you be successful.

I agree... Now that I have spoken with some folks, and got my bull-headed self right again... it is a good idea from all points of view

Haha, I'm pretty bull headed myself. It's not a bad trait for a truck driver, but it helps if you can keep it under control so that you can finesse your way in and out of situations out here on the road.

Dan; gathering information, listening to other opinions, then acting even when emotional about something is a good behavior to cultivate. So very many people come to TT with an emotional issue, hear something that doesn't conform to their view, then fight or storm off, or both.

I applaud your actions, sir.

Ever hear of contacting a spouse about employment?

Yikes!

No. Never actually. It’s illegal in quite a few states to even ask if an applicant is married. If you freely offer up that information, the potential employer can expand on it but it can’t be a leading question.

Did they ask for your social media login information and passwords too? I would have politely stated that my spouse is not available and left it at that. If you feel comfortable offering up personal information, more power to you. That’s not something I would ever get involved with though.

I misspoke. It’s illegal in every state. Good lord, why employers would ever ask any questions about marital status including asking permission to talk to your spouse is beyond me. Don’t get the job and you have discrimination based on marital status. In a same sex marriage? Discrimination based on marital status AND sexual orientation.

I wouldn’t walk, I would RUN away from this employer, politely of course.

Yikes!

No. Never actually. It’s illegal in quite a few states to even ask if an applicant is married. If you freely offer up that information, the potential employer can expand on it but it can’t be a leading question.

Did they ask for your social media login information and passwords too? I would have politely stated that my spouse is not available and left it at that. If you feel comfortable offering up personal information, more power to you. That’s not something I would ever get involved with though.

Oh come on, man. Someone asks to speak with your spouse and you pull the alarm and go into red alert? Yeah, that makes you seem stable and not overly paranoid at all. I'm pretty sure that's the kind of odd reaction they're looking for, don't ya think?

If you tried getting your kids into a private school wouldn't they interview both parents? Of course.

If you kid wanted to get into an elite university or join the Army, wouldn't they want to speak with both parents? Of course.

If you get a joint mortgage, a joint bank account, adopted a child, or did anything that takes the commitment of both of you wouldn't you both need to be present? Of course.

Well when a job separates a husband and wife for a long period of time, both of them have to be supportive of the decision. They both have to be prepared for the challenges and committed to the decision together.