Ask Amy: Nurse pours salt into post-pandemic problems

Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on Mar 19, 2023

Was there a better way to handle it?

– K

Dear K: “A no pants” policy? Wouldn’t that upset the children?

(I thought that only television anchors could get away with going “no- pants” at work.)

Kidding aside, your choice to turn down this position was obviously a good one. Your follow-up was appropriate.

Here’s the information from the EEOC that I assume you linked to: “Federal law does not prohibit employers from asking you whether you are or intend to become pregnant. However, because such questions may indicate a possible intent to discriminate based on pregnancy, we recommend that employers avoid these types of questions.”

In the future, when you’re asked about your family planning in a job interview, you might respond: “I’m curious: Why do you ask?”

The interviewer would likely offer a benign-sounding explanation. If after that you’re at all still interested in employment at that particular workplace, you could then respond and deflect by saying, “I have an outstanding work ethic.”

Given that this baby-balancing query was made at an actual school, you might have responded: “Given that I’ll be working with children, the entire job is to balance children with work. I look forward to it.”

Dear Amy: I related to the question from “Stop Haunting my Dreams.” Like this person, I have had recurring dreams. Mine are related to college (I left right before receiving my degree).

I agree with you that this is the subconscious trying to close the loop on unfinished business.

– In My Dreams

Dear In My Dreams: My recurring college dreams involve arriving at the wrong classroom to take my final. I’m still trying to work that one out.

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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)