Oh COME ON! Next thing you'll be telling us that the government wanting to issue all of us with ID cards really is to combat terrorism!

Who gives two hoots how "diverse" a community is - it should be the best person for the job plain and simple. As a white middle class male I feel discriminated against in my own country for this type of legislative nonsense.

How the hell do you think it would go down if I went to a hospital or phoned the police and demanded to speak to a white nurse or doctor!? I'm glad if there's a nurse or doctor to begin with. If people want to do a job let them; for god's sake in this day and age we shouldn't be rejecting people because they're the wrong race! After all, isn't that RACIST??

If you can't have it both ways, you shouldn't have it at all. End of.

 

You're missing the point mate. I absolutely agree, the right person for the job should always be the one who gets it. No matter what. But you need to accept that there can sometimes be barriers which stop people who could be the right person applying. These questions allow a responsible employer to ensure that their recruitment policy isn't excluding anyone and therefore to make sure they are getting the best person. Honestly I am not some 'politically correct' warrior, I just think everyone should have the same chances in life.

 

Utter tosh!

If there are any true "barriers" then the person won't apply in the first place, so the politically correct bean counters won't have the slightest clue as to what race, colour or whatever then person who didn't apply was.

I wouldn't want to work for a company with such flawed ideals, but sadly i have no choice but to fund those that do, because the majority of them that promote such crap exist only through general taxation

mb

 

Sorry, but I think it's you missing the point I was trying to make.
You say everyone should get the same chance, but if for example, I am turned away from applying to the Police because I am white, that effectively means I DON'T have the same chance as someone who might be black or asian.
To me, that is racist, whatever spin you put on it.

Someone needs to take employers who do this to court.
I'd chip in for legal!

 

Some interesting points but you would never be turned away from applying for the Police because you are white !! I work for an emergency service and as far as I am concerned I want the best person for the job working next to me, not someone who has been chosen because they meet a certain criteria. But everyone needs to get the same chance to be that person !
The whole point about equality and diversity is that people all get the same opportunities. Unfortunately it's often mistaken for 'political correctness' by people who don't understand the subject ( and I am genuinely not aiming this at you guys ). Sure, I've heard about, and actually witnessed the exact examples you are making. I've watched people be treated differently than me because they 'ticked the box' and it made me mad. However that was a few years ago when a lot of organisations were terrified of offending any minority party when actually they just ended up offending the majority !!! I'd like to think that many employers ( especially local government ) are now a lot more refined and have got the balance right.
Only my opinion though so don't shoot me !!

 

Sorry mate, this sort of stuff really does get to me; I think you'll find it probably is happening even if not admitted publically - these articles almost suggest it....
BBC NEWS | UK | Police call to boost ethnic quota
BBC NEWS | UK | Ethnic recruits get helping hand

I'm sure there was a case just last year where a Welsh recruit was turned away because he was white... just can't find the story yet...

 

Why is it that Labour supporters find it impossible to admit their beloved bunch of baffoons do wrong?
Quit blaming the conservatives; they've been out of power for 20 odd years now. The only people who are responsible for the mess we're in now are those you are coveting!

 

So - If they're trying to get the balance right why did they suspend a Nurse for offereing a prayer to a patient.

Diversity my **** - it's about appeasing the minorities while not tackling the real problem of racists / bigots in charge of pretty much every institution / company in this country.

 

Ha Ha !!! That's class !!

 

And if she's also disabled and a lesbian she'll be running the job in a few weeks.

 

the equal ops stuff is need to ensure fair access, and the info is removed by HR (so they do do something afterall!). before going to the panel, to ensure fair access at the short-listing stage.
I find it funny when recruiting though, the form goes out of it's way not to identify gender (once they rememered to remove the Title field ), but most forms include a personal email address including the applicant's name, and an amazing number from women contain words like "to have children", my husband's business etc". Doesn't take a rocket scientist...

In my experience most private sector businesses leave themselves open to challenges, as they ignore equal ops laws, and ask questions like would you be able to get the kids to school, and still be here for 9am", or, more blatantly, "Do you plan on having kids?".

 

I have several vacancies for people like that