This all occurred before the September 11 attacks (before July):
I was completing a contract in Bethesda, Maryland when ServiceIQ (from now on 'SIQ') approached me about a full-time position as wireless handheld programmer (WinCE devices). I met with John Reiland (Chairman and CEO) and James Hale (Manager) at the BWI airport for the initial interview.
At this time, SIQ was dealing with a 3rd party software vendor called D2M who had written SIQ's flagship software product to operate on WinCE devices and assist HVAC technicians in the field. D2M's software was full of bugs (some being the printing functionality not working, dialog box errors, slow responses, etc). SIQ was to hire me to fix these bugs, maintain the code and effect any new enhancements. Being a contractor, I was surprised SIQ showed such enthusiasm about hiring me permanently as I was a contractor searching for permanent employment, not wanting to continue contracting for several reasons. Most employers afford contractors the same respect they would an enemy - this has been my experience. I was also informed that SIQ was trying to maintain a closely knit company culture to avoid having to hire or fire based on employee/work issues. This was quite surprising when I later found they hired a Muslim to fill the position of programmer. This only became a problem when this particular colleague tried to shove his religion forcefully down my throat on a work trip to D2M, New Jersey.
I, together with this muslim colleague and an older SIQ employee made the trip to D2M to obtain the software. It was a hellish trip as D2M and SIQ had much bad blood between them. I bore the brunt of this bad blood and also had to deal with a colleague who would not keep his mouth shut about Islam even after I persisently asked him to cease.
On arrival at work the following week I reported the matter to a very aggressive management who had already made up their minds who was to blame. They decided to dismiss me after I insisted they take corrective action to ensure I would not be religiously harassed again by the Muslim colleague they hired after me. I had made SIQ sign a contract which states they would have to pay me 3 months wages if dismissed for any reason other than not being able to perform the job. SIQ's John Reiland (CEO) sent me accusatory email after email, defaming my character. After several exchanges and realizing he was on the wrong side of the contract, he tried offering me my job back. I refused and he still refused to honor the contract. I contacted a lawyer who informed me I have a solid case but it would cost around $5000-00 which I could not spare at the time and can not spare now either. SIQ owes me approximately $18000-00 and if this can help anyone not fall into the same trap, then at least I will have helped some unsuspecting soul in the future who is offered a job by this deceptive organization. I have emails which contain all the exchanges between Reiland, a lawyer (James Chapman) and myself.
And if the I had the money, I would sue, but cannot afford to do so. You have been warned!
John
Houston, Texas
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