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'I don't understand what's going on': Confrontation escalates when interviewer falsely accuses job seeker of parking in a handicap space

The inconsistency of eyewitness testimony is something that is often discussed, owing to the fact that the mere recollection of an event changes the original memory that we had stored in ways that can cause us to convince ourselves that we remember something that never really happened. So, with that in mind, beware of being so wholly convinced that you're unmistakably right about something and always leave room for the fact that you, or your memory, might have made some margin of error.

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Posted by Brad Dickson
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  • That's what this interviewing manager failed to do when he swore that he had witnessed the candidate they were interviewing pulling into and parking in a disabled parking spot. Of course, a candidate doing this would be acceptable grounds for not hiring them. After all, parking in a disabled space when you have no need to do so just screams that you're someone who is self-serving and willing to do so at other's expense.

    The problem here is the problem that lies within any attempt to put someone you think is flouting the rules in their place. As previously mentioned, there is zero chance that you have a complete understanding of a situation in which you're passing judgment on a complete stranger. Even if the candidate had parked in the disabled space… how did the manager know that they weren't allowed to park there? There are tons of people with “hidden” disabilities, and while they may seem perfectly able at first glance, you have no idea who they are and what they're going through.

    Even though the hiring manager was completely convinced that he was right—he wasn't. This would lead to a disastrous interview and an encounter that may very well cost him his job.

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  • 1
    Grass - RESERVED PARKING & $500 FINE MAXIMUM

    charlesdeluvio

    Via Steve DiMatteo
  • 2
    Font - Posted by u/invisibuni: Interviewer accuses me of parking in the handicap spot and tells me to prove it M OC A few years ago while I was in school and job hunting, I got an interview at a company for office work. Filing, answering phones, setting appointments, etc. I was looking forward to getting an office job instead of retail or fast food.
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 3
    Font - The building had big window walls that overlooked the parking lot so you could see cars pulling in and parking. I pull into the lot and park my car. I get out and walk into the office. Now as I'm walking in, I note that there is a car parked in the handicap space in the front of the office. This car looks just like mine I should note.
    Via u/invisibuni
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  • 4
    Font - So I walk in and I'm greeted by the manager who kind of gives me a scowling look. It made me uneasy a little as we walked back to his office. We sit down and he is asking me questions in a bit of a clipped tone. He seems annoyed by my answers and I don't understand what's going on at this point. Finally he says "Do you always park in handicapped spaces?"
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 5
    Font - I'm confused so I ask him what he means. He goes on a rant about how entitled I am for parking in the handicap spot at a potential place of employment and I'm just getting more lost. I asked him what is going on because I didn't park in the handicap spot, I'm parked in the lot.
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 6
    Font - He argues with me and says he watched my car pull in and saw me park there. I again told him that I didn't park in a handicap spot but the car that I walked by in that spot looked similar to my car. He says that he knows that he saw me park and get out of the car. At this point I'm over the whole interview, I knew this would be a clusterf of a place to work for if this is the guy managing it. Then he goes a step further and says prove it.
    Via u/invisibuni
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  • 7
    Font - I grab my purse and get my keys out, I don't even bother waiting for him and just leave the office. He's jogging after me and hurried outside to stand and wait. His face went from smug arrogance to pikachu real quick as I walked past the car in the handicap spot. He asked me where I was going as I walked over to my car, then I turned around and made eye contact as I hit the button on my keys to unlock it, and got in.
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 8
    Font - He was starting to walk over to me, calling out that he was sorry about the misunderstanding, but I just put the car in reverse and left. I didn't even make eye contact with him as I drove away. ETA: this was my second interview so the manager knows what I and my car look like. I don't know why he said he saw me....I'm assuming it was a lie to get me to admit I did it. I've pondered this many a night trust me!
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 9
    Font - mizlurksalot. Great story and good save OP! Imagine what it would have been like working for him! 6.2k Reply Share Bovine_Arithmetic Being constantly and condescendingly accused of things you didn't do? Sign me up! Reply Share 2.2k ●●●
    Via u/invisibuni
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  • 10
    Font - Gabbz737 An interview isn't just to see if you're hirable, it's to see if the company is worth working for. People forget that because modern day corporations act like you were blessed and kissed by god himself with the opportunity to work for them. You owe your entire life to them because at any moment they could not only make you jobless, but homeless too. 3.3k Reply Share
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 11
    Font - Nico-DListed Refugee I once was at a restaurant for a job interview(it was for a different business, not the restaurant) and was, rightfully, parked in the disabled spot. Our server came up to the table and said to me "I know you aren't a cripple, I called a tow truck and you are going to be towed" Of course, I showed the server my permit and let her know that I was indeed disabled. It was both hilarious(because my disability is obvious) and awkward. Anyway, I talked to management and con
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 12
    Font - megared17 Love it. I don't suppose you had noticed whether the car that was parked in the handicap spot had an handicap placard or plate? The only way it would have been better if as he was standing there accusing you, someone in a wheelchair or a cast or something had gone out and gotten in the car he was claiming was yours. Reply Share 787 invisibuni OP I think it had one of those vanity plates with the handicap symbol on it. You couldn't see the plates because there was a little shrub
    Via u/invisibuni
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  • 13
    Font - Dead EyesSmiling I think I would've just asked: "Let's say I did park in the handicapped spot... 1) Do you know that I don't have a legal right to park there, and 2) Are you legally allowed to ask???" 770 invisibuni OP. Reply Share 635 ●●● I was so floored by what was happening I just wanted to get out of there. Trust me I came up with a million other responses after the fact lol Reply Share
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 14
    Font - Red_Carrot I had a friend who served, he looked like a late 20 something dude and fit. He parked in handicap spaces and was given cop about it. He had major back problems and did not need the closer distance, but when he did, he really needed it. The thing was, he might start the day just fine but not end it that way. This manager is looking to be sued. The ADA has major claws and will ruin a business. 248 Reply Share
    Via u/invisibuni
  • 15
    Font - mindequalblown After calming down I would email his boss and explain what happened in the interview. Explain this manager is toxic by accusing you of parking in a handicap spot. Not listening to your explanation. Then the embarrassment of him discovering the truth. I then would put an negative review of the company on the internet mentioning the specific location and manager and what the issue was. 82 Reply Share ●●●
    Via u/invisibuni

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