Management is shady, so you need to be vigilant with regards to what they say and when they say it. You need to keep notes just in case. Also, the area HR does not know squat. Her excuse was that she came from the full line store and things are done differently there and in the rack. Come on! She does not even know the policies. When a member of management spout the word "policy," make sure you demand that they show you a written policy of it because they will always think that you are easy. Also, the HR won't even call you back when you leave a message. You have to corner her, so you can speak to her. Furthermore, that bs they tell you when they offer a temp job about having an "opportunity of being hired as a permanent" is a COMPLETE LIE! If they offer you a temp job, they will only keep you within 90 to 120 days and you're gone. It may be less than 1% that a temp can be offered a permanent job there, and the stories about temp people being hired as permanent are most likely fabricated because it sounded good, so do not completely believe those tall tales. It was my bad that I left my previous job to join Nordstrom in hopes of being a permanent employee, but in my experience, do not accept a temporary job offer unless you are prepared to be left high and dry in the end. Also, never ask for an unpaid time off regardless of reasons because it translates to "Lay me off pretty please with cherry on top." I have seen 3 people in my department laid off because they asked for such. That accomodation crap that the management mentioned when you first stated, only applies to management. If you are not a part of management, forget it. Do not even think of taking one regardless if it is a life threatening emergency.