Dirty secret about an industry that you have worked in?

[Anonymous]

I worked in the insurance industry for a long time (auto and property, not health insurance, although I did have a license to do that, too). Anyway, your credit score matters more than just about anything else, except for a history of multiple expensive claims. Companies dance around this issue and are loathe to admit it because it's very touchy with customers, but if you have poor credit, you are seen as a claim waiting to happen and most companies don't really want your business.

[Anonymous]

Gov contractor asked me to falsify paperwork for a govt proposal. He wanted me to edit an old invoice to make it look like we got paid more per hour in the past than we actually had.

I refused. Didn't last long after that.

[Anonymous]

Worked in bars and restaurants through undergrad and grad school. All we care about is how much money you're going to spend - specifically, how much you'll tip. Lots of preferential treatment if you're a friend of the owner or moneyed regular (oh, look, a table just opened up; champagne on us, because you're you!). Your server is probably drunk, high, or both. If you are high maintenance, rude, or a PITA, we are all talking major shit about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gov contractor asked me to falsify paperwork for a govt proposal. He wanted me to edit an old invoice to make it look like we got paid more per hour in the past than we actually had.

I refused. Didn't last long after that.

He should have known better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked in the insurance industry for a long time (auto and property, not health insurance, although I did have a license to do that, too). Anyway, your credit score matters more than just about anything else, except for a history of multiple expensive claims. Companies dance around this issue and are loathe to admit it because it's very touchy with customers, but if you have poor credit, you are seen as a claim waiting to happen and most companies don't really want your business.

I thought this was known (by consumers) - resulting in different "quality" insurance and coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in Accounting and I've worked at two places with... questionable practices.

One place was a family owned business and the owner had two of his teen kid's on payroll. Both came into the office pretty frequently to use the amazing gym facilities we had, but neither actually worked there. Every so often you'd see one of them making a copy for the boss or couriering a contract over to another office. Also, the owner's adult kid's and some of their spouses worked at the office and all of their cars were paid for by the company. Not only the monthly payments, but they each had $100/week gas cards and all routine maintenance was charged to the company.

The other place did a LOT of padding the books, so to speak. It was my first job out of college and when I told my mom (CPA) some of what was going on, she told me to start looking ASAP.

I have seen this with a successful attorney placement firm that was sold. Family on the books with "impressive" resumes. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably not a secret BUT I worked in a retail store and we all pretty much had sex all over the place in there.

+1 in restaurants. Also, lots of drinking & drugs.

Journalism--probably 50% of the stories you read are advertisements in disguise.

Child care--oh, Lord. Let's just say parents only see a TINY sliver of what goes on.

I know someone that worked at a Montessori and I kid you not she's the dumbest person I know. Very sweet and means well but I mean DIM. We are talking lacking both intelligence and common sense. Cannot spell common words. Scary that she was an assistant teacher. She worked for a long time at a school out-of-state and could not keep a job at the schools here so at least she was weeded out. Bless her heart.

This is true of a lot of preschool and young elementary teachers, but as long as they are good with children, and teaching them the basics, does it really matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For many years I worked in the Entertainment Industry - TV and film. There are too many secrets and they aren't worth spilling on this forum. i wouldn't even tell them if you were offering money.

I expect most people in truly interesting industries would feel the same.

+1

I have heard this from my California friends.Juicy stuff about who does what.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP about childcare. I was the lead teacher in a kindergarten classroom. It was a daycare as well. I was there during the academic part of the day. Basically 8:30 until 12:30. I also worked with licensing for several years and did inspections. I'm not going to share stories because I would just be accused of being a troll. But I swore I would never put my child in a daycare center after seeing what goes on even in the very best.

It gets better when kids become more verbal. At least then they can tell you what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Analyst at financial firm did boss's kid's homework. I think just once. Ivy kid, some spreadsheet thing.

Top surgeon I know did this but, viola, all those years later, all her children are now grown and are successful surgeons themselves. So, there is that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is probably not a secret BUT I worked in a retail store and we all pretty much had sex all over the place in there.

+1 in restaurants. Also, lots of drinking & drugs.

Journalism--probably 50% of the stories you read are advertisements in disguise.

Child care--oh, Lord. Let's just say parents only see a TINY sliver of what goes on.

I know someone that worked at a Montessori and I kid you not she's the dumbest person I know. Very sweet and means well but I mean DIM. We are talking lacking both intelligence and common sense. Cannot spell common words. Scary that she was an assistant teacher. She worked for a long time at a school out-of-state and could not keep a job at the schools here so at least she was weeded out. Bless her heart.

This is true of a lot of preschool and young elementary teachers, but as long as they are good with children, and teaching them the basics, does it really matter?

That's a crappy comment, and it's also untrue. But way to generalize.

Otherwise, this thread is fascinating-- keep the stories coming, please!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PP about childcare. I was the lead teacher in a kindergarten classroom. It was a daycare as well. I was there during the academic part of the day. Basically 8:30 until 12:30. I also worked with licensing for several years and did inspections. I'm not going to share stories because I would just be accused of being a troll. But I swore I would never put my child in a daycare center after seeing what goes on even in the very best.

It gets better when kids become more verbal. At least then they can tell you what happens.

Yep. I've worked in NAEYC accredited, reputable programs, and I still have horror stories.

Let's just say I spent A LOT of time picking my child's center, and then I basically lived there his first month, and still keep his days very short.

I kept him home as long as possible (8 mos.) and then I actually quit my ft job to work pt when it was time for him to start child care.

[Anonymous]

IT company. Recently announced big time promotion of known sexual harasser (company paid out settlement).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PP about childcare. I was the lead teacher in a kindergarten classroom. It was a daycare as well. I was there during the academic part of the day. Basically 8:30 until 12:30. I also worked with licensing for several years and did inspections. I'm not going to share stories because I would just be accused of being a troll. But I swore I would never put my child in a daycare center after seeing what goes on even in the very best.

It gets better when kids become more verbal. At least then they can tell you what happens.

Yep. I've worked in NAEYC accredited, reputable programs, and I still have horror stories.

Let's just say I spent A LOT of time picking my child's center, and then I basically lived there his first month, and still keep his days very short.

I kept him home as long as possible (8 mos.) and then I actually quit my ft job to work pt when it was time for him to start child care.

What would be some horror story type incidents? Are the kids hurt?

[Anonymous]

Worked for a chicken processing plant where they breaded and packed all of the chicken for grocery stores and fast food restaurants. They had a sophisticated set of warnings so that they could hide the stuff from the USDA inspector. Also, I bet you wouldn't think pork product goes on your tenders.