I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a recent trend of employers using 'bait & stitch ' tactics when hiring?

17 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 16,2022 at 7:44PM UTC

   Yes, this is happening more and more because current job seekers do not get their employment details in the offer letter .

   I have always been given all the details you've highlighted in my offer. Very explicit details so I know not only my salary, start date and job details but holidays, PTO, benfits start dates, hours expected etc.

   I know that things change but companies are more inclined to live by the offer, at least for the first year or two because they know a new employee may make a legal claim if they don't and that claim will not just address compensation but will include damages.

2. Kryssy SantanaMarch 31,2023 at 3:57PM UTC

   Yes I did get an attorney after this happened to me two times and I got fed up?

3. AnonymousOctober 18,2022 at 9:24PM UTC

   Not bait and switch. Doesn’t matter what someone may have been told during interview, or what they ASSUMED if it isn’t in writing or in policy it’s subject to change without notice

4. Erin LukenOctober 25,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

   Yes, I experienced some of this in my current position.
   I started about 6 months ago with promises of flexibilty (arrive between 7-9 am, leave 3:30-5pm, don't need to take unpaid lunch if I don't want to, some of my duties could be done from home, etc). Within 3 weeks, they completely changed, saying my hours were to be 7:30-4pm everyday, must take unpaid lunch, nothing can be done from home. I'm leaving at the end of this week, and those reasons are just the tip of the iceberg. I've found that if an employer does this sort of thing in one area, then they are likely to be inconsistent and unaccommodating in other areas, too, no matter how wonderful of an employee you are, making an effort to try to "earn back" what they promised you in the first place.

5. Kryssy SantanaMarch 31,2023 at 3:52PM UTC

   Yes I feel like based on my experience, that happens a lot in non profit social services, in. Non profit I almost understand responsibilities can be fluid when you have to interact with other departments or adapt to changing mission or goals.
   However after working in social services I’ve been told one thing and expected to do another enough to where I k ow when I’m being treated as a floater and that’s unacceptable. Made me mad enough to switch fields and so yes yes this happens. It’s illegal. I looked into it with an employment attorney. Unless you are in the military, then you do what you’re told period, exclamation point lol

6. AnonymousMay 6,2023 at 11:17AM UTC

   Yup. Locations you must travel to and being told you don’t have to work weekends when you do. Upmc os famous for this!

7. AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 4:38PM UTC

   Slight correction to your title there it's bait and switch not stitch. Did you ask about working hours before you started the job? Unless your offer letter specifically stated that the employer can shift the time they expect you to show up to work. If the switch doesn't work you will definitely have to find somewhere else to work.

8. AnonymousAugust 18,2023 at 10:52PM UTC

   Agree with this one. Did you agree to this upfront or was it “assumed or inferred”. So maybe they didn’t bait and switch but perhaps you aren’t asking all the appropriate questions and therefore miss communication happens. (Just a thought)

9. Derrick MiddletonMay 17,2023 at 9:05AM UTC

   https://tunnelrun.io

   This is an interview conducted by the Specialized Board to determine whether you have the skills and behaviours required for the jobs within the job family you're applying for.

10. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 12:49PM UTC

    This is old news, remove.

11. Brandy E MillerMarch 12,2024 at 1:39PM UTC

    I experience this with my job. At first they give you 40 hours a week when the time of year requires it like the holidays, or when like back to school and valentines day. This happens in retail. They lower hours when they know that the need for employee demand is low. After awhile you are working half that time at 25 hours a week with the need for you to extend the work day if needed. Im in this situation now and lost my health insurance because of lack of hours and looking for a new job because of it.

12. AnonymousApril 2,2024 at 8:09AM UTC

    Since Brandy's is a current entry: Hope you find a new job(s) soon. Meanwhile, perhaps you can qualify for healthcare coverage assistance in your state to tide you over because your monthly (and perhaps annual) salary is now a lot lower. You might try that. Also, if you can find some side hustles to make some more money to fill in the gaps... Wishing you the best!

13. AnonymousApril 2,2024 at 8:01AM UTC

    Sorry - Didn't catch that -- 10/16/22 - This is old news!

    Don't know if AI was used as widely in 2022(?) -- We all know what she meant. Have a heart!

14. AnonymousOctober 8,2024 at 4:02PM UTC

    How is that bait and switch? You owe it to yourself to ask those questions during the interview. Setting expectations and remembering that an interview is a 2 way street is paramount to finding the right place for you.

    Here are some questions that can help for next time:

    What are typical working hours in this role? Is there an expectation of many overtime hours outside of this? Do you allow employees to take days off paid if they have worked excessive out of business hours in exchange?

    Can you share the companies vacation, leave and other medical type of time off rules? Can I review a copy of the companies employee handbook prior to joining so that I can be aware of where the boundaries of behavior are here?

    What paid holidays does the company observe?

    Asking about these things makes you smarter and will give you the details you need to understand if/how/and whether you choose to join the company based upon how you feel about these rules.

    Good luck.

15. Darenda CarterJanuary 25,2025 at 3:18PM UTC

    I just interviewed for a job last week and after my last job and things not being clear (owner would change things based on his mood & no handbooks for company) I went into this interview with a list of questions and told the lady I didn’t want to appear as interviewing her but wanted to know those things just in case I was offered the job I would have all the information

    This was the first I had ever done this at a job and the lady was impressed that I had taken the time to ask bec she said she would have prob left some of that out when she was telling me about the company

16. AnonymousFebruary 5,2025 at 1:37PM UTC

    I have dealt with that. Also, legally full-time is anything over 30 hours. As employment attorney, 40 hours is a company trying to over work you for underpay. That is why they prefer salary over hourly as well.

17. Kryssy SantanaApril 12,2025 at 11:38PM UTC

    Oh mY GOSH THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ME SO often its sickening! All of the above it's illegal and shady as hell