equality and diversity issues ?

AP007

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

[/COLOR]Clearly this employer is diversity aware and does not fall into that category or they wouldn't be asking the question


I'm getting the feeling that you find the question objectionable in some way?

Not at all. I just don't get why they ask when I have worked with bosses who are not for equality at all and I know this happens in the work place. Asking me what I think makes no difference at all when they are the opposite.

No the employer is not making up their own rules as I said the employer is a university not a private company where what they say and what they do are two different things.

jacques_chirac

AP007 wrote: »

Not at all. I just don't get why they ask when I have worked with bosses who are not for equality at all and I know this happens in the work place. Asking me what I think makes no difference at all when they are the opposite.

No the employer is not making up their own rules as I said the employer is a university not a private company where what they say and what they do are two different things.

You are the front line of the organisation. It doesn't matter what the bosses may think, what is important is what the public sees.

(And if you think discrimination does not occur in the public sector, you are in for a shock!)

AP007

Missme wrote: »

Monitoring the workforce or applicant demographic isn't the same as being committed to/understanding equality and diversity. Nor does a person need to be one of a minority or disadvantaged group for it to be relevant.

While 'be nice to every one' is an admirable sentiment it doesn't go far enough IMO. Respect, in that you recognise that everyone is NOT the same and 'levelling the playing field' by, for instance, making documents available in large print for people with visual impairment may be more of what the employer is looking for.

It wasn't me here who said 'be nice to everyone'.

I would never think to give someone a document in larger print if I never knew their sight was an issue. You need to be told these things as people don't walk round advertising these things.

I once worked with someone who was profoundly deaf in his right ear and I sat on his right side. For 4 months I thought he had a problem with me and was ignorant as no one bothered to tell me he could not hear me talking to him.

I would have gone out of my way to make sure I was facing him or got his attention before I tried to talk to him if I knew. It made the company look like a bunch of idiots and like they didn't care either way.

AP007

jacques_chirac wrote: »

You are the front line of the organisation. It doesn't matter what the bosses may think, what is important is what the public sees.

(And if you think discrimination does not occur in the public sector, you are in for a shock!)

Erm I know it does

I have been shown CV's in the past at work and asked 'do you think this person is English?:eek:

jacques_chirac

Given your responses, do you think a role dealing with people is the best idea for you? You do come across as rather brittle.

AP007

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Given your responses, do you think a role dealing with people is the best idea for you? You do come across as rather brittle.

Dealing with people? LOL

Brittle?

I am telling you I know discrimination happens in private companies and have an example

They wont ask you what you think of equality etc at all will they? They do not care.

AP007

My reply was

I am committed to treating everyone from different backgrounds and needs with the same respect and believe everyone should be treated the same regardless or race, age, disability etc. I also believe that some adjustments should be made where necessary for people to work in the team and not to feel left out.

Ok probably a rubbish reply

When I say 'treat the same' I mean why would you treat a 20 year old more or less favourably than a 50 year old?

jacques_chirac

AP007 wrote: »

Dealing with people? LOL

Brittle?

I am telling you I know discrimination happens in private companies and have an example

They wont ask you what you think of equality etc at all will they? They do not care.

Reread the thread and see how you are coming across to an outsider. When I was a recruiter I would not consider taking on someone with your attitude.

Employers want people with friendly and open attitudes - you come across as very defensive.

Missme

AP007 wrote: »

It wasn't me here who said 'be nice to everyone'.

I would never think to give someone a document in larger print if I never knew their sight was an issue. You need to be told these things as people don't walk round advertising these things.

I once worked with someone who was profoundly deaf in his right ear and I sat on his right side. For 4 months I thought he had a problem with me and was ignorant as no one bothered to tell me he could not hear me talking to him.

I would have gone out of my way to make sure I was facing him or got his attention before I tried to talk to him if I knew. It made the company look like a bunch of idiots and like they didn't care either way.

Didn't say you said it - was simply extending it.

You raise a good issue with the colleague thing. Some people are very protective of their invisible disabilities and don't share such information. The point is simply to be prepared to provide a service or behave in a way that gives everyone equal access/opportunity.

jacques_chirac

AP007 wrote: »

My reply was

I am committed to treating everyone from different backgrounds and needs with the same respect and believe everyone should be treated the same regardless or race, age, disability etc. I also believe that some adjustments should be made where necessary for people to work in the team and not to feel left out.

Ok probably a rubbish reply

It is not great. In the first sentence you say the same thing twice. You mention people working in a team, but nothing about customers/ clients. Adjustments are made to make services accessible, and to ensure everyone has equality of opportunity, not to make sure people don't 'feel left out'.