Q. My company hired an outside consultant to be a “business” coach. I was part of the group she briefly worked with but she rarely discussed business.

Emotions were her specialty. Later, she was present at a meeting with my bosses to discuss my role in the company and she did all the talking – about me. She dared to say something must have happened to me as a child because I was such a poor communicator! It was a set-up and I felt ambushed and quit. Is this kind of “spying” common?

A. This is a first for me. I haven’t heard of anything as outrageous as this. Companies usually swear that such personal discussions are completely confidential. Using a so-called business coach as a conduit for information is extremely unethical, if that’s what happened. And if the firm thought you needed psychological counseling, you should have been told that upfront. But don’t blame her: Blame management for allowing it.

Carol Kleiman writes for the Chicago Tribune.

Dear Coach:

I have a job interview coming up with a large company, and I’m worried that I’ll be asked about a health-related leave of absence I took from my last job. Do I have to answer questions about my medical condition?

CK:

No you don’t, so don’t offer it.

Dear Coach:

In preparation for an interview with a restaurant marketing company, I was asked to bring with me at least 10 good marketing and customer-relations ideas. I did that but didn’t get the job. Within the next few months, I noticed the chain had used at least three of my ideas. I feel ripped off. Should I confront the company?

CK:

That sure does sound as if it is a rip-off and if it is, your work should be acknowledged. But you can’t confront them alone: You need an employment lawyer to help you ascertain that they indeed were your suggestions that were used – and to ask for compensation.

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(Carol Kleiman is the author of “Winning the Job Game: The New Rules for Finding and Keeping the Job You Want” (Wiley, $16.95). Send e-mail to ckleimantribune.com.)

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(c) 2004, Chicago Tribune.

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