Every week I think I'll write a blog post about how The Apprentice is an awful advert for the recruitment process. I’ve known lengthy interview processes and candidates being asked to complete irrelevant tasks and compete head on head with other applicants before, but what you see in The Apprentice isn’t about selection at all. Sir Alan might as well be pulling straws to find out who is most suitable. I knew the actual interview process last night would be awful/compulsive viewing. However, I accidentally watched the series finale of Ugly Betty!
If, like me you missed it, there are video clips from last night's episode on the BBC website. From these brief snipets you can get a feel for what took place and see why you might question Amstrad's compliance with anti-discrimination rules. Rather handily for me Alison Henderson (the REC’s Press Manager) sent me their take on this aspect of last night’s episode.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the trade body for the UK recruitment industry, was shocked to see the interview technique of Sir Alan’s employees on BBC1’s The Apprentice last night.
Commenting on the programme, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations said: “It simply isn’t acceptable to assume that only women have caring responsibilities in the modern world. All those undertaking recruitment should abide by all anti-discrimination rules.
“From what was shown on the programme, it’s doubtful that Sir Alan’s and his employees were compliant. Recruitment professionals know only too well their responsibilities to ensure that interviews do not lead to discrimination”
Ian Wolter, Chair of the REC’s Diversity Forum and Managing Director of Eden Brown said: “It comes as no surprise that some employers seem to think it’s impossible to balance work and family life. Recruiters should ensure that candidates are judged on their merits and employers should make reasonable allowances to get the best person into the job. If Sir Alan worked as a recruitment consultant for me it would have to be a case of ‘Sir Alan, you’re fired’.”
And I have to agree!
By the way, if anyone wants to hear my summary of what happened on Ugly Betty last night – just drop me a note
It's interesting to see the PC brigade jumping on Sir Alan's recruitment process at the 1st opportunity. The fact of the matter is that the woman was unprepared, had made no attempt to find out the slightest info on her potential boss or employer (not difficult) and was unprepared to relocate. She was infact planning to move somewhere totally impractical.
I am all for equal opps but all too often ageism, racism, sexism, disability against discrimination is used as an excuse by, frankly, people who aren't good enough!
Posted by: Chris Hodgetts | 13 June 2007 at 03:24 PM