Unreliable workers need not apply
What do you think about the above title?
Amusing? Maybe
Disgraceful? Possibly
Encouraging? Most definitely
Maybe I look at the world of recruitment from a completely different angle, however having spent many years auditing the recruitment practices of many high profile agencies, the fundamental understanding of what does and doesn’t constitute discrimination compliance has always been lacking. On too many occasions I have witnessed blatant discrimination in the form of advertising and general applicant data held on file. When highlighting the potential hazards with the perpetrator, the one constant industry response is “Oh I just didn’t think”
Therefore, dear reader, although the recent debacle at a UK Jobcentre where an Employment Business was informed that their advert containing the line ”must be very reliable and hard-working” was in fact discriminating against un-reliable applicants actually lifted my heart in that, at last, someone was actually trying to work within the spirit of Compliance.
- Misguided ? YES
- Mis-informed ? YES
- Inadequately Trained ? YES
For me though the Jobcentre employee should actually be given a medal, not reprimanded for not knowing what they didn’t know, they at least THOUGHT about the potential effect this statement could have had on an “unreliable” person.
Going back to my original paragraph, too many recruitment practitioners do not have adequate knowledge of the pitfalls surrounding legislative non-compliance. I can only state with absolute conviction that by going back to basics and giving our people the correct tools to do their job, by way of a robust Induction and follow on Training programme, can we hope to eliminate the risks and subsequent financial penalties incurred by so many Recruitment Businesses.