I have a new client in the Central NJ area and called by "best" picks from another project I oversaw for years that wrapped up a few months ago. Two of the guy begged me to re-hire them in this new warehousing role claiming they were desperate to get back to work. Rehire #1 has a family and kept telling me he had mouths to feed. Rehire #2 said he was losing money every month on unemployment and tearing through his savings too quickly. New Hire who had been out of warehousing for a while and working as a personal trainer. He was highly motivated to get a regular paycheck and leave personal training behind because it was too rough scrapping for the next paycheck to keep a roof over his head.

They all knew the job was temp to perm. They knew they were going into a new job at the peak season. They knew the job required overtime during the week and every other Saturday. They report to the client Day #1 and the client is upset because all three refused to work extra hours claiming they had other jobs.

Rehire#1 said he lied to the hiring manager and that there was no other job. He just felt the work was too hard and complained they said they were working a 15 hour day. The question Rehire#1 was asked what whether he wanted to stay that late and if not, how late could he stay. I have a meeting with the guy at the client site today because he seems rather lazy and the client is not happy. I explained that even if it is 1 - 2 hours and the Saturday's they will be happy and see him as a team player. When I spoke with him about the Saturday's, the guy refused to work the required Saturday. Career Limiting move. I already know that at the end of the peak season in a couple of weeks he will not be offered the permanent position for the lack of cooperation and appearance of laziness because he will not offer any options to work with the employer.

Rehire#2 lied stating he had no other job. When asked to work overtime he suddenly had a night job and weekend job and refused to work with the client. It seems rehire#2's priority is working (with no degree or education) making You Tube videos thinking he can spiral that into someone with a major NY network. The reality is, I know the industry and know people that have tried/failed. Most video work is temporary for a few days a week with a sporadic income unless you have attended and graduated from an higher education program focusing on film/television. I tried to help the guy and tell him that he should work with the client on the days he is not pursuing his fun gig (I do the same work sporadically myself and have credits in a documentary - so I know what I am talking about). Rehire#2 is a No Show Day 2 and now ineligible for rehire on any project and blacklisted because he didn't stick it out a week and try to be somewhat flexible to honor his commitment. If any references call, the record will now read ineligible for rehire which is the kiss of death in the recruiting/HR world. You might not be able to say exactly what performance expectation was not met, but ineligible for rehire leaves a lot to the imagination. Moral is to never walk of the job on Day 1 putting everyone in a bad place. Be clear you are committed to a job and your going to stick it out.

New Hire - another one who hid the fact he had another job. He lied during the interview stating he was giving up personal training. He tells the new boss he refuses all overtime because he is teaching Yoga at night. He also did not disclose this for employment verification which happens the be a requirement of the employer that we discussed at length. The guy will never be hired because he lied on his application and just used as a temp to get them through the crunch.

Moral of the stories - Be truthful, honor your commitments. If you get an unexpected request (OT with a 15 hour day is a lot) negotiate. Don't be obstinate and say NO and stomp your foot closing the door. From the other side of the table you just made yourself look lazy, disagreeable, etc. Tell them how you can work with them and how late you can stay. Be as flexible as you can and learn everything you can.

Classroom time flexibility like 4 days a week or combination day & evening classes.