There have been many layoffs and business closings in this area over the last few years, so for every job that opens up, there are probably a few hundred people applying for it (in a town of under 15,000). I don't pay a lot of attention to things like that these days, but I know of at least 1000 people who have been laid off in the past 5 years or so here.I could go into more detail why I think that a lot of companies are trying to get by with far fewer people than in the past but it would belong in the political pavilion and not here.
I can imagine some managers being under so much pressure from higher ups to get the job done no matter what or their fired, that things like you described are happening. MOO.
I had tried telling him that it was illegal, but he just got a job down south somewhere and moved there. Sorry for the O/T Salem, I'm done now!