When I left university I found it very difficult to get a job. I was unemployed for almost two years. Eventually, my Mother found a job for me. It was a small ad in the newspaper that wanted someone who was personable, clean, honest and nonthreatening. My Mum thought it was me. I sent an application in with all my details. I waited for almost three weeks to get a response and thought they'd forgotten me. When they phoned to arrange an interview they were cautious and polite. They wanted to assess my suitability for a probationary position and said they also wanted to see evidence of my creativity.
I was on time for the interview. It was in a hotel room. I was suspicious about what was happening. The lady and man seemed very caring. We sat and shared coffee as we talked. They said they wanted a young man who is mature enough to cope with challenges and has a caring, outgoing disposition. We talked for about half an hour. I told them it wasn't normal for me to talk about myself. They told me they were interested in me and had positive feelings I would fit into their company very well.
The woman introduced the man as John and herself as Jenny. She said her company was one that demanded complete discretion from its employees because of the sensitive nature of its business. They looked at the evidence of creativity I'd brought. They were impressed by the photo album and said it was very aesthetic. They looked at the bags I'd sewn and liked the skills and competence with the design. When they saw my drawings they loved the detail.
Jenny asked if I knew anything about incontinence. I thought it was a very strange thing to ask. I was cautious with my reply.
"You mean being in France?" Jenny and John looked at each other for a moment and burst out laughing. When they finally settled John explained incontinence was when someone doesn't have control of either their bladder or bowel, mostly bladder. I was embarrassed and acknowledged my mistake.
"I have a lot to learn," I told them. Jenny smiled.
"My company deals in incontinence products for adults. We design, make and sell them. We strive to have the best products of their kind on the market at a reasonable price. We're proud of our products. They improve the lives of our customers immeasurably. Ten years ago the company imported and distributed the products of foreign companies. There was a huge maritime strike and it couldn't get the products. The company collapsed. I bought it and we decided to make our own. It was a massive challenge. At first we copied the products of others. Then we discovered we were copying their problems too. We spent a lot on research and development. We still do. It is a condition of employment that you participate in the research at least as a subject. If your application is successful you will be employed in the manufacture and you will often be required to test our products. We don't want you to be bashful. This is a requirement of everyone employed by my company, including myself. My company depends on having a superior product for its survival so the research is meticulous and highly intrusive. It also depends on sensitive sales promotion and after sales care." Then she asked if I thought I would be comfortable working for her company and, if our present roles were reversed, would I hire me?
I had to think for a while. I was honest. I told her the nature of the company's business was surprising. I thought I would trust me to be an honest and discrete employee. I would like to be involved with everything I knew about so far. They smiled in response.
The next requirement is that you go for a medical, the man said. We'd like you to see our doctor. If you ring the same number again we'll give you an appointment. I agreed. You will be accompanied at your medical by a member of our staff. Do you agree? Again, I agreed. The interview was concluded. Jenny and John stood and I did too. They warmly shook my hand and I left. It was a strange feeling being almost employed. On the bus, the more I thought about it the more questions I had. As I thought I realised I didn't know enough to be able to think of appropriate questions to get the answers I needed. It was all about me worrying I'd be made a fool of.
At home Mum asked how I went. I wasn't sure what to say. I told her I thought I'd done okay and now needed a medical. She was very pleased. She wanted to know about the job and I told her it was a company that made and sold medical supplies and I'd be involved with making them, if I got the job. Mum crossed her fingers for me and smiled. Fortunately, it was enough to make her happy. I don't think I could have told her any more because I wasn't sure my self. It's easy to listen to people but it isn't so easy to completely understand what they're saying. I rang and the medical was to be in three days. I worried about it a little and reassured myself by asking what could go wrong with a medical, I was young and fit.
I arrived five minutes early and checked in with the receptionist. She was friendly and reassuring. I was given a clipboard with forms to fill out. I slowly began. The first form asked about my medical history. It was exhaustive. Some things I didn't know and I wrote on the form I didn't know.
Another form was about confidentiality. I read it through and it seemed okay. I had no intention of telling anyone about my medical. I signed it. The next form was to give them rights to keep my medical records, the pictures and measurements taken and anything else the company deemed necessary in my employment. I worried a little about that but so far everyone had been lovely to me and I couldn't imagine how they could misuse them. The form granted them the right to use all the information and pictures and they would be retained within the company. I thought about it, wondered if I should ask and signed it. There were a few other forms to fill out but they seemed easy. I consented that if I were to become an employee I would have a medical done by a doctor of their choice every six months. Another form consented to the company using my body in research and in the promotion of their products and that nothing used outside the company would identify me unless they had my consent. I signed everything, wondering if I was making a mistake.
The receptionist smiled as she took the clipboard from me. I felt reassured and asked if she was a company employee. She acknowledged she was and she had filled out the same forms. Everyone in the company had, she said cheerfully. She stood, said "excuse me a moment," opened a door and disappeared behind it as it closed. I returned to my chair and looked around the room while I waited. A couple of minutes later the receptionist returned and said it won't be long.
About a quarter of an hour later the door opened again and a man approached.
