Do you fit the bill ?!?

piglet25

I can assure you its not a wind up. They 'actively favour' applications from those groups. If it was a wind up I wouldn't have applied for it. Am rather hoping that their favoured groups are thin on the ground in my area

OllysMum_2

Stating as a policy that they "actively recruit" from certain sectors of the community does not mean that they actually do. In fact if they did, they wouldn't have any under-representation, and wouldn't have to have "a policy".

I know several companies who say they actively encourage applications from 'minorities" and you'll go in to their workplace and it's like a UKIP meeting... In my experience, the companies who state things like this are usually the worst at diversity.

Having said that, lack of representation is an issue in some fields and areas. Social care is one where you want the workforce to reflect the local community. There's something wrong somewhere if it doesn't.

gb12345

piglet25 wrote: »

it is in the social care sector

Why doesn't that surprise me.:cool:

browneyedbazzi

A lot of employers say that they actively recruit from groups that are under-represented in the workforce but that doesn't mean they will give the job to someone who isn't qualified/capable. It usually means that if they have two candidates in front of them who have equal scores, one of which is from an under-represented group then they get the job. If you're head and shoulders above the other candidates then you will get the job whether you tick one of the boxes or not.

I've never seen an advert that says they actively recruit alcoholics though!

terra_ferma

I have to say that no matter what policy is in place, the fact that someone belonging to some of those groups will still have less chance of being given a job.
It's not a matter of white/heterosexual/british/white/able-bodied etc etc being discriminated against, that's a myth.
To work with some groups you need certain skills, for example not everybody would know how to provide personal care to someone with ethnic hair and skin, the products etc.
At the same time a certain background/life experience helps connecting with some hard to reach groups, like young offenders (e.g. gang members).

I think what is happening with this job is that they put together the criteria for different jobs into generic specs, instead of making it specific for one job. I expect it would be a large organisation or council, recruiting for a number of jobs, and then it will be broken down in more relevant bits. E.g. the team working with disabled people will want someone who can use sign language, those working with homeless etc etc, you get my drift. The transgender and religious bits could be just tick-boxing, or maybe Brighton council?

ILW

OllysMum wrote: »

Having said that, lack of representation is an issue in some fields and areas. Social care is one where you want the workforce to reflect the local community. There's something wrong somewhere if it doesn't.

Total crap.
Are you saying that a care home in Hampstead should should only have highly educated rich people changing pads on the residents?

OllysMum_2

ILW wrote: »

Total crap.

Ouch that's a bit strong! it's rather unlikely that many highly educated rich people would choose to work in such an undervalued, underpaid sector. *

My point is that if the local community is diverse, and the workforce isn't, then there is something awry in the recruitment process. The company will more than likely be recruiting from that local community.

If I was recruiting hydrocarbon accountants, for example, I would not necessarily recruit locally. I'd probably have to go global.

*I know the care sector reasonably well and ironically, some less well off people, who would be excellent carers, can't work in care because it's so poorly paid with unreliable earnings. There is a fair proportion of "comfortable" second career people who choose to work in care. In some ways there is a bit of "reverse exclusion" going on in this sector

terra_ferma

ILW wrote: »

Total crap.

Agree, that's how I'd describe your post too
From a purely practical point of view, speaking a certain language, using sign language, understanding personal care and dietary requirements can be relevant.
For example where cooking food is part of the role, having people in the team who can cook a range of foods helps, so that people from different cultures can be catered for.
Particularly when clients are not able to communicate their needs themselves, having someone who understands their background is important, for example if I had to help someone following a muslim prayer routine I wouldn't know where to start, having someone in the team who knows would help, if the person cannot explain themselves.
This is also important from the point of view of prospective clients, if they don't feel that their needs will be met, they may be reluctant to use the service.

People from other cultures pay their taxes too, so it's only right that their needs are taken into account, and it doesn't cost any extra money to recruit people with certain skills.

ILW

terra_ferma wrote: »

Agree, that's how I'd describe your post too
From a purely practical point of view, speaking a certain language, using sign language, understanding personal care and dietary requirements can be relevant.
For example where cooking food is part of the role, having people in the team who can cook a range of foods helps, so that people from different cultures can be catered for.
Particularly when clients are not able to communicate their needs themselves, having someone who understands their background is important, for example if I had to help someone following a muslim prayer routine I wouldn't know where to start, having someone in the team who knows would help, if the person cannot explain themselves.
This is also important from the point of view of prospective clients, if they don't feel that their needs will be met, they may be reluctant to use the service.

People from other cultures pay their taxes too, so it's only right that their needs are taken into account, and it doesn't cost any extra money to recruit people with certain skills.

Think you are missing the point. I was suggesting that the staff should be recruited on a basis that suits the the needs of the clients, not the local commiunity. The two can be completely different.

aliasojo

piglet25 wrote: »

Ain't positive for me! In fact, they may even be discriminating against me as I am none of the above ( as far as I know, although I have been known to employ a second language at times of great stress! )

Surely you could fit the bill with regards to sign language?

What?! Flipping the bird doesn't count?