Originally posted to the sidebar by "snoofle"...

This morning, I had to deal with one of our HR secretaries, and it was déjà vu.

When I first started to work for this place I was in HR. I had passed my interviews and was doing paperwork as part of the hiring process. The HR secretary and I had the following conversation:

Her: Can I have the phone number of the consulting company where you worked for the past 6 years?

Me: I was self employed. I am the owner and sole employee of the consulting company and I would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Her: No, I need to call to verify!

Me: ...But you'll just be calling me.

Her: I have to call — what's the number?

Me: The number of the office is [my cell number].

(note: I'm standing 2 feet directly in front of her. She dials the phone and I answer.)

Her: Hello — this is Paula from Initrode Global, calling in reference to Snoofle's employment.

Me (both into the cell phone and to her): I know, I'm standing right in front of you.

Her (into the phone): Could you please verify the dates of Snoofle's employment at VirtuDyne, Intelligenuity and Initech?

Me (reading from my résumé that is laying on her desk in front of her): VirtuDyne: a 1 to b 1 , Intelligenuity: a 2 to b 2 , and Initech: a 3 to b 3 .

Her: Great, thank you! *click*

Me (directly to her): ...Did you not notice that you were talking to me right here in front of you?

Her: I know, but I have to call to check these things.

At this point I walked away, wondering if the rest of the company would be just as WTF-y.