Part 5 (1/2)
”I have a complaint regarding your hiring process that I'd like to discuss with you at your earliest convenience.”
”Now's fine. What's the problem?”
”It's alleged that you will not interview or otherwise consider males for positions in your division,” Kevin said, carefully.
”Can't interview or consider anyone who doesn't apply for a position, can I.
s.h.i.+t! Men just aren't interested in the jobs in my unit.”
Kevin blinked and cleared his throat. ”Ah, well, I called the personnel office and they informed me that they had sent you a file of a male for the last two positions you posted.
I was told that you did not interview him.”
”Could be, I suppose. Probably he didn't qualify.”
”Personnel says that he is very well qualified.”
Frank a.n.u.se made a face at the telephone. The supercilious b.a.s.t.a.r.d, he thought. Who is he to check up on my hiring?
”They do, huh.”
Frank's predilection for hiring only women, preferably young, was well known throughout Belmont. He laughingly referred to himself as the sheik and the girls as his harem in conversations with his male colleagues. His girls referred to him as Jack the Ripper.
Turnover in his department, in all senses of the word, was active.
”Yes,” Kevin continued. ”In light of this complaint, my office will have to review the records of all of your hiring for the past two years. Would you please have this material ready for my a.s.sistant to pick up tomorrow?”
Kevin spoke firmly, looking down at his crossed fingers.
”All those files? Christ, you think I've got nothing better to do than. . .
Who in the h.e.l.l made this complaint, anyway?”
”The letter came from the chair of the Staff a.s.sociation, Diana Trenchant. Evidently several complaints have been brought to her attention.”
”She can go to h.e.l.l and you too, for that matter.
What business is it of yours who I hire?”
”Federal law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices.
This university has to comply to receive federal grants.
My job is to see that the university is in compliance.”
”Bull, everyone knows that just applies to women and spa. . ., er, minorities.”
”That is incorrect, Mr. a.n.u.se. Anti-discrimination laws apply to anyone who is being discriminated against. Please have those files ready for pick-up,” said Kevin and firmly hung up the phone.
Frank looked at the phone for a beat and then walloped it to get a dial tone. He punched in the number for Mark Rogers, the university attorney.
Reaching his party, he said, ”Mark, what do you know about the b.i.t.c.h chairing the Staff a.s.sociation?”
Chapter 6
. . .”and sitting next to Ed is Esther Rondell, agriculture.”
Frank beamed at Esther who simpered in return. A large woman, Esther wore her white hair in an old fas.h.i.+oned pug at the back.