Ex-boss’ drug problem shouldn’t be discussed

425

Dear Joan:
I enjoy your column and admire your thoughtful solutions to job problems. Well, here's one to challenge your ingenuity.

Several years ago, after bouncing around a number of jobs that didn't work out, I landed a position in a small retail firm. I really enjoyed my work, and my boss praised my dependability, honesty, intelligence, and pleasant manner. He said that I was the best employee he ever had and sales had increased since I had been hired. I was very content and planned to stay indefinitely.

Last year, I became aware that something was very wrong with my boss. I had been aware that he was quite a "party animal" but there were signs that he was abusing drugs: mood swings, not coming in until mid-afternoon, neglecting to place orders, not returning calls from other business people.

I was caught in the middle when customers would complain that we were always out of products. Then my boss's creepy dope-dealing friends were hanging around the store, and I realized he was selling drugs out of the premises. Then he cut my hours so he could hire one of his party-pals, a kid with no experience or knowledge of the products, at an inflated wage and title. So I gave a vague excuse about needing a change and resigned.

Now, I'm back in the job hunt and my problem is what to tell a prospective employer about my reason for leaving a good job. To say, "my boss is a druggie" sounds fishy and I don't want my knowledge of his problem to get back to him as he has pulled some pretty vicious revenge on people. Please, suggestions?

Incidentally, I've heard from mutual acquaintances that my former boss really misses me, customers are always asking for me and his new kid is turning out to be "immature." I'd go back in a minute except I don't trust him.

Answer:
Although your ex-boss appears to be making some foolish personal decisions, he's smart enough to know he's lost a good employee. Although you'd love to go back, don't do it unless you're convinced that he's cleaned up his act.

Keep your communication channels open and find out if he's still involved with drugs. If he is, his business decisions will be influenced and you'll be caught in the middle.

When you are interviewing for a position, don't tell them your boss was doing drugs. As a general rule, badmouthing the boss is the kiss of death in an interview and revealing this information could even get you sued-or worse. You'll have to come up with a truthful, yet benign reason you left your job.  For instance, could you say you were interested in a larger firm with more opportunity for growth? Perhaps another answer could be you liked working with certain aspects of customer service and you are looking for an opportunity that will allow you to do more of that particular kind of work.

You may also want to say something that is closer to the truth-but beware. You could say, "I loved my job and everything about it but when my boss began having some personal problems it seriously affected the business." The interviewer is likely going to ask for more details but you must be careful not to reveal the nature of the personal problems. After all, you may not be accurate and you don't want to misjudge your boss's motives.

If you do use the honest approach, be very careful not to act judgmental or angry toward your boss. Simply speak in a matter of fact way and move quickly to a discussion about what your skills and strengths are. Be sure to tell stories about how much the customers loved you and how you increased sales.

Consider getting a reference from your ex-boss, since he still remains impressed with your work. Because you don't have a long track record of steady employment before this job, his reference is very important to you. Since his behavior is unpredictable, ask him to write a reference letter. A letter will give him some time to reflect on your abilities and won't catch him by surprise-when he's in no shape to give a balanced reference.