Sexual Harassment Before the Job Even Starts

I went to an interview at a Subway in Ohio. I wanted a part time job to save up for tuition and books for community college, something fairly routine and not too demanding. What with Pell grants about to be gutted, I can no longer afford to pay for the Vet Tech program with savings and assistance alone. So, Subway seemed a logical choice and just happened to be hiring around my home town. I called and the guy seemed really out of it, not too organized or particularly interested. I took it in stride, who can really know someone just from a short phone call?

I got to Subway five minutes early and ended up waiting nearly half an hour for the owner to come out and interview me. My first impression was that he’s a bit creepy; he stared and his shirt was open enough to expose a bunch of chest hair, a nipple if a strong breeze were to blow. Not what I wanted to see from a prospective employer. We got straight to business and he seemed extremely domineering, a very military-type “say exactly what I want to hear” person. I was not liking him, and it got worse when he asked me if I had kids. This was problematic because I doubt he would be asking a man this question. Not only is there the assumption that a woman should be primary caregiver, but that she is a bad/negligent mother by searching for a job, or that she isn’t able to handle a job and children. If his franchise is an Equal Opportunity Employer, his questions are illegal.

I answered, dumbfounded. He kept the ball rolling with a question about my shirt size. I told him small and he decided I was going to get a medium shirt (so why did he ask?). Directly after telling me this he tells me to stand up so he “can get a look at me”. I still didn’t confront him, both needing a job and shocked at his behavior. Not too many questions later he made a comment about shorts having to be at the knee or longer, which sounded normal to me. Instead of leaving it at that, this “businessman” laughed and told me that if he had his way all his girls would be wearing short shorts to help bring in business. I didn’t smile at his oblivious and disgusting joke. It was at this point I realized I’d only seen the one male employee, but three younger female employees. As I shook his hand I was shaking and I got out of there as quickly as possible. I called my Dad and told him about the interview, and he just congratulated me. This is not to say he’s sexist or bigoted, at least not consciously; he’s one of the more feminist men I’ve ever known. He either didn’t fully realize the situation or I wasn’t clear that I was upset. It wasn’t until I got home and thought about it that I realized how horrible the interview was. In ten minutes I had experienced sexist policy, sexual harassment and objectification.

Needless to say, I did not take the job. I needed one, but I was not going to subject myself to that man again, much less in a subordinate position. I was lucky enough to land several more interviews and ended up being employed as a driver at a great little pizzeria, making more in wages and supplementing that with tips than I would have working for the Subway.

I have since reported the franchise to the Better Business Bureau(BBB)(https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/), and to the Subway Corporation, and I’m waiting to hear back. It may not go anywhere, but the owner will know that I didn’t appreciate his unprofessionalism during the interview. I still wish I’d said something right away, but truthfully I was intimidated and didn’t want to hurt my chances at getting a job. I hope I’ve learned from this, and I want others to learn from it too. This type of behavior and discrimination needs to be recognized and brought to awareness, especially during this time of economic instability when women are taking the most damage.  

Here is a copy of the transcript sent to the BBB and Subway:

“I went for a job interview at this Subway. During the interview I was asked to "Stand up so I can look at you" by the owner, who was interviewing me, after already agreeing on a suitable shirt size if I were to be employed. The owner also stated during the interview that if he had his way, all his girls would be wearing short shorts to work to bring in more business. This was in regards to his stipulations that shorts must be at the knee or below in the workplace, and this comment was not in response to one of my own. The owner of this franchise was both discriminatory towards me (he asked if I had children) and verbally sexually harassed me, which is why I'm reporting this Subway store. I had no issues with anyone or anything else at the location.”

Here is a copy of the action I’d like taken via the BBB:

“I would only like the owner of the Subway to know his unprofessionalism was not unnoticed, and to have any action appropriate be taken against him by the Better Business Bureau.”

My Address to LGBTQ Youth

  I'm not old yet, so I remember high school and what it was like going through it as an out bisexual girl. I remember being called a slut, a dyke, greedy, desperate, liar, bitch.... all sorts of things. I was told the standard lies about going to hell, being unnatural, only doing it for male attention (because girls only kiss girls for guys' benefit), and being too young to have a sexuality, much less one outside the hetero-norm. It was hard and at times I did think about killing myself. I cut myself, demeaned myself, and gave those idiots exactly what they wanted. It was difficult to keep my head above water at the best of times. But to go with that awesome campaign making a presence, it got better (http://www.itgetsbetter.org/). I found friends who fought for me as fiercely as I should have fought for myself. I educated myself about what it meant to be queer, and about the struggles of other people.

  The best thing I ever did was get the hell out of there and go to college. I found people as passionate as I am, who gave a damn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-E7fykpeGc) and let everyone know it. I learned about the Stonewall riots, about transpeople and hate crimes, and joined LGBTQ clubs and attended seminars. I armed myself with knowledge, and it empowered me. I majored in Creative Writing because it showed me how to broadcast my voice, and I minored in Women's Studies because it gave me real herstory and told me the truth about racial issues, human sexuality in all its flavors, and humankind in every gender, color, and category.

  You will find opposition as often as you will find support. There are stupid people everywhere, and scared ones who have a hard time respecting and recognizing anything different. You will encounter corrupt social infrastructures that hold you back and deny you your basic human rights and the respect you deserve. But keep this in mind- you do deserve respect. As a feminist and a queer, I have learned to carve out my space where none exists for me. Don't be afraid to be loud and get creative. You will be called names, you will experience violence, and you have the strength to rise above all of it.

  Most of all, know you are NOT alone. I'm here, and I care. I care about YOU, and I care about my neighbors all over this country and this world. I will be your shoulder and your rock, I will beat ass for you and shout to the highest levels of government. My love is big enough for anyone and everyone. I'm here, I'm queer, and I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you, and so are millions of people around the world. Remember this: you matter and you can make your place in this world. You have the power to stand up for yourself and for others. Use it.