So I’m doing supposed to be doing this part-time thing on the weekends. Technically it’s a job, but let’s be serious: it’s four hours a week for whatever a Rec employee makes (I still don’t know what the pay rate is, I never bothered to ask), minus the maximum amount withheld for taxes — for all intents and purposes it’s volunteer work. I’m doing it for the four hours of exercise and the chance to refresh my knowledge of the soccer rules.
When I went in to apply for the job, my ‘interview’ consisted of my filling out W-2’s, I-9’s, and picking up a copy of the indoor soccer league rules. The guy didn’t know my last name until he read it on the W-2. They started up 6 different rec leagues last week in various sports and they’re desperate for someone to do this reffing gig.
Simple, no?
Here’s the hitch: when you file I-9’s, you have to supply identification; you can either supply two items from Column B (which list includes things like Driver’s License and Social Security Card) or one item from Column A (which list includes a US Passport).
Now, I have had a US Passport for as long as I’ve been a part of the workforce. Conversely, I’ve never in my life physically held my social security card in my hand. My first copy was lost when I was little and I’ve efficiently lost or accidentally destroyed the two replacements I’ve ever gotten.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that in the course of all my various jobs, I’ve always provided my Passport instead of trying to find two ID’s from Column B. I mean… Duh… why wouldn’t I?
This little job is no exception. Like most places, the employer looked askance at the passport, then became confused, then I showed them how to use the Passport as identification (who knew it was good for that?), then we filed the papers and away I went.
However, when I tried to ‘clock in’ on the computer system last Sunday, my name wasn’t in the system. I just went in and did the job, figuring that HR was just as behind there as it is everywhere else. The Rec league guy calls on Monday to tell me that Human Resources still needs the SS card, can I apply for a replacement? Please? Soon? Like… yesterday?
Right now, I leave Denver at 7:30 am, I get home around 6-7pm… so actually, no I can’t; the Social Security offices are closed when I’m in town.
And also… Why do they need it?
Muttered indistinct explanation, which I loosely translated as ‘they don’t understand how to deal with not having your SS card on file.’ Hmm. I filled out the application for a replacement card and left it on my desk… you’ll have to understand that after that clear-as-mud explanation, my response time on this issue became very sluggish, my attitude openly suspicious.
Tonight I got an email indicating that if I didn’t at least get a receipt of filing the application for a replacement card in to HR by Friday morning at the latest, I wouldn’t be allowed to work on Sunday.
Oh horrors. Wherever will I find the money to buy half of a small cheese pizza once a week if I don’t keep this ‘job’?
I replied that Jackie was going to take care of getting the paperwork filed tomorrow after work (because I still can’t do it anymore than I could a week ago).
I also told him to have someone from Human Resources call me and explain why they need the card when I’ve already supplied everything legally required for employment. I was clear: If they need it for something specific, then that’s fine, but I want someone somewhere to clearly explain why they need it, or I’ll just have to bow out of this whole thing, because I’m not providing them personal information they don’t need.
Believe me when I say they need a ref more than I need the money.
On one hand, I feel a little bad about this, because in my mind this basically is a volunteer gig and I want to do my part, but on the other hand this has become a matter of principle.
I guess I just feel the need to stand up to The Man, even in a small pathetic way.
