Potential Part-time job makes me uncomfortable....what to do?

[inneedofhelp]

So, I am in need of a part-time job so I can have more emergency savings and not feel so constricted each month.

I applied for a part-time job, and ever since turning in my resume, I have had a weird feeling.

For 1) the employer didn't tell me his full name, 2) the hours are in the evening during the week, and in the middle of the day on Saturday and Sunday, 3) I just have this weird feeling about it.

I feel odd because I really, really need the money. My bf worries because it means that I will be working 7 days a week, in order to have an extra 21-24 hours per week. It is $12 per hour (maybe more), and I may be considered an independent contractor with a 1099.

I didn't like the style of the employer in that he called late in the evening, it was an impromptu phone interview, and while he may be a really ok guy, I am just wondering if maybe this isn't the best option for me? Plus, I would have to commute on the weekends, which would mean an additional $8 in tolls.

He wants me to work (if hired) during the holidays, except for the holidays themselves.

Have you ever turned down an job because of odd feelings?

[reallyprettyhappy]

Trust your intuition. There are other $12/hr jobs out there that won't make you feel weird. Honestly, I would go with my gut and find something else.

[lovcom]

In this economy, one should not be too picky. This is not to suggest one should take anything, but rather, to be very careful and get the terms in writing. Look at it as temporary....until you build your EF up. Keep good records, and be careful.

[inneedofhelp]

I don't want to be too picky, believe me, but I just have a weird vibe. I would be working in the person's home, in a part of a city I am not familiar with, and something about the guy's approach made me uncomfortable. He also wants a long-term commitment, as he has had people not be able to deal with the commute. He has had a lot of people leave because of that, so I am wondering if maybe it will be too much?

I would also end up losing about 12 hours on the weekend due to this job, though I would only be working 8 hours (with traffic and commute).

[reallyprettyhappy]

uggghhh...even I'm getting a weird vibe about this now. This is all a little too 'silence of the lambs' for me. But I don't trust people, so...of course it is your call, but I would keep looking for something else.

[MonkeyMama]

I would never take a job I had a bad gut feeling about - my intuition has served me well.

(I've turned down those kind of jobs when I had other offers, too. But the jobs I had good feelings about always turned out very well).

[inneedofhelp]

"It rubs the lotion on its skin......."

But seriously, yeah, the vibe is weird. And I had it even BEFORE I sent in my resume. Also, I don't think he even read my resume because he was asking a lot of questions and I get the feeling that he is expecting someone a lot younger. I know that shouldn't be an issue, but. Yeah, I think I will cancel the interview.

I also want to work on some projects in the home, and working until 10pm each night and a chunk of the day on the weekends isn't going to help.

[ActYourWage]

The "working in this person's home" would be red flag for me. I am a guy, being a female could complicate matters worse. I would think real hard before committing.

[reallyprettyhappy]

Originally Posted by inneedofhelp

"It rubs the lotion on its skin......."

That made me LOL, but also gave me a serious chill up my spine! Stay away!!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Well, to start with, it sounds as if this cannot even be a legitimate 1099 situation, as the hours and days are fixed by the person you would be working for. I suspect he is dishonestly looking to shirk his side of the taxes and bookkeeping. If he is being dishonest with you before you are even contracted, I would not be surprised if he shows further dishonesty after you are working.

At the very least write up a contract in ordinary language spelling out the terms (and asking for higher pay, if you like). Have him sign that. If you are going to be a contractor, have a contract. The power is yours. If he wants you to work for him, set out terms that are favorable to you. He can take it or leave it and you will have the contract to back you up.

[buildmybudget]

This is a no brainer, trust your gut.

[Angio333]

Originally Posted by inneedofhelp

I don't want to be too picky, believe me, but I just have a weird vibe. I would be working in the person's home, in a part of a city I am not familiar with, and something about the guy's approach made me uncomfortable. He also wants a long-term commitment, as he has had people not be able to deal with the commute. He has had a lot of people leave because of that, so I am wondering if maybe it will be too much?

I would also end up losing about 12 hours on the weekend due to this job, though I would only be working 8 hours (with traffic and commute).

If you have that gut instinct that screams "danger" or makes you feel uncomfortable...don't take the job. I would be especially concerned over the fact that you are working in his home, and his turn over maybe a warning sign. Did they all really leave over the commute or was there something else.

From your post, I am assuming that you are a woman. I work in emergency services and I have worked on improving care of sexual assault victims. I can't give you any real facts, but it seems that a lot of women had a weird feeling, but went against their gut instincts. They went on the date, got on that elevator, accepted that drink, etc. and ended up getting attacked. I'm not blaming the victim, I'm just giving credibility to gut instincts. Listen to them. Gut instincts are important. I'm a guy and I would trust my gut on this one.

If you do take the job (I would suggest passing it up), check his name against the sex offenders list and maybe get a background check...especially since you will be alone with him in his house. If he refuses, then don't take the job.

What I said may make it sound like I'm paranoid, but, you only have to be right once to make it worth uit.

[cptacek]

Always listen to feelings like this. It may be God trying to tell you something!

We have instincts, but try to ignore them because we think they are baseless, or we don't want to be rude or be looked at funny. But I've had many times where I just had this feeling to do or not do something, and if I went against that feeling, something bad happened.

I was driving home once and had the option to go right or left, and the miles were the same to get home. My instincts screamed "go left" but I went right. About a mile later, the feeling almost made me turn around for some reason, but I didn't. Totaled my car a few miles later.

A friend of mine was in an elevator with a bunch of people in a parking garage. All the other women got off the elevator but her, and a guy. She had a bad feeling about him, but didn't want to appear rude, and only had to go one more floor. Well, he attacked her, and she was lucky to be able to get away from him. He had attacked two other women in that parking garage that week.

[PetMom]

To work in someone's home really needs an element of comfort and trust - which you do not feel.

Something about an office gives a neutral ground and work atmosphere.

People are working out of their homes now more than ever - but still - go with your feelings.

[DayByDay]

That does sound creepy. I'd pass.

[creditcardfree]

I definitely wouldn't commit to working in someone's home. It sounds like you haven't even met this person face to face yet. I think, you need at least that. I think you might also ask to see his home, with bf or other friend along before you would commit. Even then...trust your gut!!

[highsavings]

that job sounds really shady, I would stay far away from it. My fiance got a shady job offer...dude gave me a bad gut feeling and I told her she can't do it. You never know what kinds of things people will pull in an economy like this, taking advantage of people.

I say move on and go for a job where you know it is safe

[dmontngrey]

My friend got a job many years ago working out of a guy's house - website stuff. It made her feel so uncomfortable that she had DH and I drive her over there to quit. She didn't trust it would go well if she was alone. There wasn't anything in particular to cause her to feel this way, just a nasty vibe nagging her about the situation. I think we all slept a little better after she quit! If I was in your situation, I would pass. Trust your gut.

[cschin4]

You would be working in his home? Why? What kind of job is that? Why didn't he tell you his full name? Did he just say his name was "Joe" and not answer when you asked "Joe Who"? As for a "long term committment", I don't make any long term committments to anyone. I take a job and am there "until", which is until I decide to leave. The hours don't sound unusual so I don't see anything fishy about that.
But, I would not work in someone's home especially if it was just you and him. And, you should know whether you are an employee and will have taxes taken out or an independent contractor.
I think you would be better served to find a job closer by with less commute even for less money.

[snafu]

You don't like the commute, the toll cost, the guy, working in his home, the idea of b eing responsibl for the tax, working so many hours, giving up time you planned to be working on home projects and BF doesn't like it. You didn't call the BBB or made an effort to discern if this prospective employer is on the up & up so you seem to have made your decision.