Worldwide Acquisitions Inc. Kevin Graziano Was I just terminated because I showed up 5 minutes late to a room full of employees playing a blindfold game!?? Seriously!!? Woburn, Massachusetts

Where to begin!? That's a 26 letter multiple choice question for Worldwide Acquisitions.

If you guessed (Z) All of the above. You're absolutely correct. For your reward, you get to ring this bell and run around a human merri-go round exchanging high fives!! Exciting?? I guess it could be... If your best friend is Billy Jean and your nicknamed the 'king of pop'. If that's the case, then this is your dream job.

Yes, Unfortunately I am a former employee of this poorly managed company. I'm a little upset. As if you couldn't tell, right? Well, I have a good reason to be mad about my termination from this company. In fact, they actually did me the biggest favor in the world. However, I am not going to stand by and let the same thing happen to hard working people like myself.

So here's my short little story. Once upon a time, I signed up on careerbuilder.com hoping to find a job like anyone else who needs to pay the bills. I found an entry-level outside sales position posted by worldwide acquisitions. Wow, it seemed like one of those jobs where I was under-qualified and if I got this job, I'd feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Guess what? I got the job. If only I knew it was too good to be true... I wouldn't be in the position I am now.

Let me take you through the basics real quick. The first interview was no more than 10 minutes. I could have said the world was flat and be invited back for a 2nd interview. I guess the 2nd interview makes up for short length of the 1st by job shadowing a trainer for 6 hours. Ohh and they call this a half-day of work. Seriously, they do. My trainer of course had to be Kevin Graziano, former GM of Global Marketing Enterprises which is basically a generic version of worldwide acquisitions. He was a real cool guy, someone who is easy to talk to and very professional. I had a great amount of respect for Kevin right off the bat. During the ride back from the 2nd interview Kevin told me what to say in my 3rd interview so that I would definitely get the job. I did exactly what he told me and I was offered the job. A choice of $300 base pay + $25 commission or $75 commission. Ohh not to forget the benefits, wait there are NONE. Well, unless you consider paying extra for health care a benefit. Like an idiot, I accepted the job. The way they talked about growth opportunities and the pay scale was like music to my ears.

Monday the 11th. It was my first day of training. Note: training takes up to 1-2 weeks and you're not allowed to be late by even a minute or you will not get paid a mere $200 when completed. I went out to Medway with Cameron, who I personally believe to be the best trainer in the company. God bless him.

Tuesday, I was supposed to go all the way to Natick for a meeting on new promotions. Mind you this was at 10am which meant I had to leave my house before 9. I ended up arriving 30min late to this 'optional' meeting because my GPS died and I had to stop and ask for directions every half mile. So after the pointless meeting on new promotions, I had to still learn about the old ones to promote for the rest of the week. I followed Kevin all the way up to Dunstable! Which might as well have been in the middle of nowhere. The houses were separating by football field gaps and we were only able to visit like 5 houses where he did all the talking. I learned nothing!!

Wednesday, I had a doctor's appointment until 12. On my way to work my car was rear-ended by some nutcase. I had the biggest headache so I decided it was pointless to waste another day suffering in the freezing weather. I let Kevin know I wouldn't be coming in for the day. Like that even mattered, He didn't answer my phone calls or texts.

Thursday, Kevin took me aside, told me I had 2 strikes. Tuesday and Wednesday. He asked me if I knew what 3 strikes meant. And I said, "Yea, It means I suck at baseball". I was kind of shocked he even asked me. Meanwhile, I was also wondering how the heck I had 2 strikes when I had yet to receive a first one. I lost a lot of respect for Kevin that day.

Friday, I went back to Medway with Cameron. Thank god. I'm finally going to learn something. I was able to do everything right and all I had to do was get more comfortable around the customers. So, I promised Kevin I would do my best.

Saturday, That's right. We have to work Saturday as well!! 6 days a week, over 50 hours, and we had to be there by 10am! Well, I woke up a little late but skipped breakfast so I could leave my house on time. I even made up my own sales pitch which took me 3 hours the night before. On my way to work, I hit a detour and had to find a way around it, which I did. I arrived 5 minutes late to a room full of half our employees that were playing a game where someone is blindfolded and another person has to guide them through the room. It was ridiculous. After the game, Kevin pulled me aside. Asked me again if I knew what 3 strikes meant. I played dumb. He told me that the company is 'letting me go'. Wow. Really?? I just worked a 50 hour week and spent $70 on gas, bought a suit for $140 and spent hours upon hours of my own free time studying the product knowledge. And you're letting me go because I was 5 minutes late to recess. You have got to be kidding me. What's even worse is they pay me nothing!

Kevin, I hope you read this. The reason why your company went under in Ohio is because of poor management. As one of your trainee's, I'm telling you the honest to god truth. Please learn how to give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes and realize that bad things do happen and not to let them go without really giving them a chance. Especially if they can help your company grow in the future.

With all that being said. I would never work for this company again. Even if they offered me my job back and a promotion. Any company that who's top expense involves spending $3,200 in online-recruiting is a company that needs some serious help. My names Joe and I'll see you on the bell!!

P.S. If you do decide to accept a job with this company, at least you'll have the annual chucky cheese parties to go to and the everyday games in the morning that could be spent on making sales. Games are more fun, right?? I believe they're holding a hopskotch competition after the coloring book contest. Hurry up and reserve an interview!