Chris Smalls spent nine and a half months job-hunting until he finally landed a gig through a temp agency in New York City. He had exhausted his unemployment benefits, so the position represented a lifeline. The pay was better than his last role, and the office looked promising.
He showered, put on a brand-new polo shirt, and walked in ready to work. A supervisor gave him the tour, pointing out the stocked kitchen and clean bathrooms. For a brief window, it felt normal. Then, around 10 a.m., the vibe shifted.
The supervisor told him to take an early lunch. She pulled his trainer aside for a meeting. When the trainer came back, she didn't resume the training. She just told Smalls to sit. He left the building, and the phone call came. The agency ended his assignment. The reason? 'Hygiene issues.'
Smalls was stunned. He had groomed himself meticulously. He asked friends if they smelled anything; they said no. He brushes his teeth, flosses, and saw a dentist this summer. He lives with a clean roommate and two pets, but his apartment is tidy. The agency rep who fired him seemed just as confused as he was. She asked what he was wearing but never specified the problem.
He wonders if scratching his nose or a burp was misinterpreted. He has no closure. He has no pay for those two and a half hours. The agency hasn't offered him another assignment. He is back in the queue, with no answer and no income.