DNA Lady
Recently, on a sales trip to small towns in New Jersey, I did my usual stop into hospitals, lawyers, laboratories, clinics and private practice medical offices. Most of the office staff and/or laboratory staff are happy to see me. My presentation about the DNA Test we offer is short and sweet and if there is already a relationship with the facility, I'm usually carrying candy, cookies or gift cards as a small thank you for their referrals. Private consumers are confused as to where, how and when they can get a DNA test to confirm paternity, siblingship and other biological relationships. I welcome the few minutes I can get with the office staff to repeat what we do (DNA Tests); how we do it (privately); when we do it (at the customers convenience - no one has to miss work or school) and where we do DNA Tests (our private offices or someplace local that the customer can travel to).
I then take a ride through the local towns and see if there are any places, where a public sign may be welcomed. You know the kind you usually see in laundromats, libraries, or at exactly eye level on telephone polls at red lights. Some small towns clearly indicate "post no bills" and so I move on. On this one day, as I drove up to what look like an acceptable post - about 10 men between the age of 15 and 50 came running up to my car - right to my door. My car was empty so I could have fit at least 4 men in the front and back seats - so I think these guys thought they hit pay dirt.
I nearly hit the curb trying to avoid them but then suddenly realized, they thought I was trying to pick them up for day labor. Honestly, at least 10 able bodied men, sitting on the roadside in the hot sun got on their feet so quickly because they thought "work" had finally come. I know of some able bodied young men, who think looking for work is sitting on computer job boards all day. I was impressed that these men were not only putting themselves in harms way (you'll understand later) but were so eager and anxious that they ran to my door.
Since the men were harmless, I decided I would talk to them about my DNA Testing business and that I was there for work, just like they were. Usually, if you have a minute, I'll talk to you about the merits of DNA testing. I posted my sign for DNA Testings outlining all the relationships we can confirm:
Paternity
Maternity
GrandPaternity
Siblingship (Full vs. Half vs. UnRelated)
Avuncular (aunts, uncles)
outlining all of our accreditations:
aabb
NYSDOH
FQS-ISO 17025
CLIA
CAP
ASCLD
etc., etc., all the necessary accreditations for a government entity to accept the results of our DNA tests.
and finally outlining all the uses a private consumer may have for a DNA Test:
Acknowledge Paternity for a baby's Birth Certificate
Complete Request for Evidence in Immigration Cases
Confirm Maternity or Paternity for Parental Termination in Adoption Cases
Confirm Paternal Relationships via other living relatives in order for children to receive benefits
Confirm Paternity via PreNatal Paternity Tests so that the new dad can participate in preparation for a new baby.
Most of the men were disappointed that I wasn't picking them up for day labor but they were still polite and seem interested in talking to me. I applaud these men for being out there and looking for work but there was one lingering concern on my mind - none of the men understood a word I was saying - no English and even my broken Spanish wasn't working. One really young guy, maybe 15 kind of looked like he understood Paternity Tests (he probably watches reruns of Maury Povich) and I used my broken spanish "Paternidad" - he gave a little laugh but still didn't indicate complete comprehension. One older man, said gracias as I walked away.
So the first question that comes to my mind is how does an employer explain to these men what he/she needs done and secondly, as impressed as I was with their eagerness to work, isn't there something blatantly illegal about this and where are all the able bodied young American guys looking for work? How do 10 - 15 men, who are obviously not here legally, get to sit on a pretty well known street corner, looking for work and not one public official does anything about them?
And then again, what are you going to do about them. They need money to support themselves and their families. They are here and I don't think going back to their country of origin anytime soon (not w/o a ticket from Uncle Sam) They appear to be hard working and if employers weren't picking them up for day work then these men wouldn't be there waiting. It's a double sided sword - they need the work - employers need hard workers who they can pay "off the books" cheaply. And let's face it, the age of the American born teenager going around and cutting grass, shoveling snow and doing odd jobs to pay for his first car are over.
I then take a ride through the local towns and see if there are any places, where a public sign may be welcomed. You know the kind you usually see in laundromats, libraries, or at exactly eye level on telephone polls at red lights. Some small towns clearly indicate "post no bills" and so I move on. On this one day, as I drove up to what look like an acceptable post - about 10 men between the age of 15 and 50 came running up to my car - right to my door. My car was empty so I could have fit at least 4 men in the front and back seats - so I think these guys thought they hit pay dirt.
I nearly hit the curb trying to avoid them but then suddenly realized, they thought I was trying to pick them up for day labor. Honestly, at least 10 able bodied men, sitting on the roadside in the hot sun got on their feet so quickly because they thought "work" had finally come. I know of some able bodied young men, who think looking for work is sitting on computer job boards all day. I was impressed that these men were not only putting themselves in harms way (you'll understand later) but were so eager and anxious that they ran to my door.
Since the men were harmless, I decided I would talk to them about my DNA Testing business and that I was there for work, just like they were. Usually, if you have a minute, I'll talk to you about the merits of DNA testing. I posted my sign for DNA Testings outlining all the relationships we can confirm:
Paternity
Maternity
GrandPaternity
Siblingship (Full vs. Half vs. UnRelated)
Avuncular (aunts, uncles)
outlining all of our accreditations:
aabb
NYSDOH
FQS-ISO 17025
CLIA
CAP
ASCLD
etc., etc., all the necessary accreditations for a government entity to accept the results of our DNA tests.
and finally outlining all the uses a private consumer may have for a DNA Test:
Acknowledge Paternity for a baby's Birth Certificate
Complete Request for Evidence in Immigration Cases
Confirm Maternity or Paternity for Parental Termination in Adoption Cases
Confirm Paternal Relationships via other living relatives in order for children to receive benefits
Confirm Paternity via PreNatal Paternity Tests so that the new dad can participate in preparation for a new baby.
Most of the men were disappointed that I wasn't picking them up for day labor but they were still polite and seem interested in talking to me. I applaud these men for being out there and looking for work but there was one lingering concern on my mind - none of the men understood a word I was saying - no English and even my broken Spanish wasn't working. One really young guy, maybe 15 kind of looked like he understood Paternity Tests (he probably watches reruns of Maury Povich) and I used my broken spanish "Paternidad" - he gave a little laugh but still didn't indicate complete comprehension. One older man, said gracias as I walked away.
So the first question that comes to my mind is how does an employer explain to these men what he/she needs done and secondly, as impressed as I was with their eagerness to work, isn't there something blatantly illegal about this and where are all the able bodied young American guys looking for work? How do 10 - 15 men, who are obviously not here legally, get to sit on a pretty well known street corner, looking for work and not one public official does anything about them?
And then again, what are you going to do about them. They need money to support themselves and their families. They are here and I don't think going back to their country of origin anytime soon (not w/o a ticket from Uncle Sam) They appear to be hard working and if employers weren't picking them up for day work then these men wouldn't be there waiting. It's a double sided sword - they need the work - employers need hard workers who they can pay "off the books" cheaply. And let's face it, the age of the American born teenager going around and cutting grass, shoveling snow and doing odd jobs to pay for his first car are over.
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