5 Hidden Examples of Recruitment Discrimination

5 Hidden Examples of Recruitment Discrimination Most employers and recruiters are well aware of the obvious no-nos when asking questions of potential recruits and would be offended at the suggestion that discrimination could play any part in their decision making. Overt discrimination, such as not hiring someone because of their gender, has become a lot less common over recent years. Having said this, in the UK Brexit has seen an unwelcome upsurge in nationality and race related harassment and unpleasantness generally in workplaces since the referendum result in June, and may well have already affected a number of hiring decisions in the months since. Subconscious bias is still an issue in many businesses, and for that reason, in many recruitment processes. This means that whilst hiring decisions may not appear discriminatory on the face of them, the underlying reasons for the short listing and selection of candidates can still be tainted by discrimination as a result of in-built prejudices and preconceived ideas, as indeed can the process of identifying a job vacancy and its content in the first place. Legal action Applicants who are unsuccessful in a recruitment process have few avenues of legal redress â€" unless they believe that they have been subject to discrimination. Where this is the case, they are entitled at law to pursue a claim for discrimination and compensation, even though they have never worked for the employer in question. When doing so, they will typically refer to all aspects of the recruitment process which they consider to have disadvantaged them, in order to build a picture of the employer as generally discriminatory in approach. The introduction next year of mandatory gender pay gap reporting, the focus on the progression of women to senior and board roles across all business sectors, and the continued pressure to address overall diversity, mean that many businesses are actively seeking to recruit a more diverse workforce with a composition and skillset that reflects society and better serves their customer base. To do this however, they need to be alive to the risks of discrimination that can arise at every stage during recruitment. What do employers need to be watching out for when designing a recruitment process? 1. Preconceptions regarding the advertised role Who is responsible for deciding the content of the advertised role? Is the job an existing position or newly created? If it is an existing job, is it being described in the way it always has been? Was it filled previously by a Monday to Friday 9-5.30pm male of a certain age? If so, what are the chances that it will be filled again by someone fitting the same spec? It is inherently tempting â€" and easy to recruit replacements in the same mould as the departing employee. If the job is a new position, is it being described in the same way as other existing jobs? Has any thought been given to how its design and description could attract job applicants with different skillsets and backgrounds â€" for example job share partners and those who prefer not to work full time, or who may not be able to do so as a result of caring and other responsibilities but who may well have significant experience in the field? Putting off or excluding these people from consideration may well mean ignoring the skillset and knowledge bank of women, those with caring responsibilities, or those of a particular age â€" all of whom have protection at law from discrimination. 2. Discriminatory ad language It’s been well documented that the language of adverts and recruitment campaigns, as well as the visuals used â€"particularly where they purport to represent the make-up of the workforce, can powerfully reflect the underlying intention of the hiring business. Certain phrases and desired attributes are more likely to appeal in particular to one gender or another. For employers who genuinely wish to attract the widest pool possible, real care and attention should be paid to the way in which positions are advertised and depicted, so that applicants do not self-select out of the process from the start. 3. The risks of automated recruitment processes Many businesses rely on recruitment portals to increase efficiency in the process â€" but such systems are not immune from discrimination risks â€" not least as they are invariably designed and programmed by humans, with their inbuilt biases and prejudices. Where the details requested from candidates and the system design do not allow for the realities of human careers such as career gaps to be taken into account, then the potential services of those who have taken family leave, had a career break for other reasons, or experienced a serious illness or disability, will be lost. The same applies where the system does not allow the applicant to offer any context around their application, or explain why they have the potential to do well in the role, despite not having some or all of the requested experience. 4. The interview and selection process â€" the risks Many claims for discrimination at the job application stage succeed because employers are unable to defend their hiring decision â€" due often to a failure to take minutes of the interview, or to record the steps taken in the selection process. This is particularly important where the short-listing process means that a number of candidates are under review. Remembering in a tribunal hearing some months or years after the event, why a particular hiring decision was made can be difficult if not impossible without the benefit of notes. The lack of a written record also allows a claimant to argue that in the absence of any other non-discriminatory reason for their rejection, their race, gender or other protected characteristic must inevitably have been taken into account. This is also a good reason for always interviewing in pairs (at least) so that whilst one person asks questions, the other can be noting down the responses. 5. The job package Many packages are designed taking into account a candidate’s salary expectations and hopes, which will inevitably be based to a degree on their current or past earnings. Given the on-going gender pay gap it is not unreasonable to assume that a woman will base her expectations on a salary package that may historically have been unfairly lower than a man’s in a comparable position in any event. Paying her only at her expected level simply because that is all she has asked for, rather than at the level the new role commands will perpetuate this problem and do nothing to address the on-going gender pay gap. Furthermore, it will store up potential pay gap reporting problems for the new employer in the future. Whether recruiting decisions are made by people, or computers programmed by people, there will always be a risk that inherent biases and preconceptions will affect the decision making. However, with careful planning and thought, there is much that employers can do to address this risk up front â€" and recruit the right people to best service their business. About the author: Marian Bloodworth is an Employment Partner at Kemp Little LLP.

New way to measure blog ROI

New way to measure blog ROI I got an email from this guy who told me he thinks I need a friend on a farm. I think he wrote the email right after I wrote about being a pint-sized ENTJ on the estate-sized front lawn of my grandmas house. I am not sure how he knew I am fascinated with farms, but I am. And Im always curious about how family farms work here in Wisconsin: what life is like, and why do people keep choosing that? He invited me and my kids. He told me the farm was more than an hour out of Madison. Ten minutes out of Madison is farmland, so more than an hour out is really hard core. I went to a farmers market with my oldest son to check out the farmer, to make sure he wasnt an ax murderer or something. To be honest, I couldnt tell from looking at the farmers market. Really, even an ax murderer has to have a job. I asked for his phone number, in case I got lost on the way to the farm. He told me it was a party line a term I havent heard anyone use in real life. He also said his parents might answer the phone. You live with them?!?! I tried not to sound judgmental. I write all the time about how living with your parents is a good idea. But I couldnt stop thinking about how Norman Bates lived with his mom. The farmer said, Dont worry, Im not Amish. I thought that was charming. I mean, of course I didnt worry that he was Amish because I dont know anyone who is Amish. I didnt even know there were Amish people in Wisconsin. But you can learn a lot about someone by how they choose to reassure you. And somehow this was so genuine that I was, actually, reassured. The farm was really in the middle of nowhere. It was in Wisconsin, but it would be a suburb of Dubuque, Iowa, if Dubuque had suburbs. I had to call twice because I thought I was lost. Both times, the farmer said that I was actually following directions just fine. The farmer lived in a town of 500 people. None of whom I could see from his farm. I parked my car in the middle of his dirt road. Or his front lawn. They were sort of the same. There were fields everywhere. It was every farm: Red barn, white house, green fields. The first thing I said to him: What are you doing out here? All alone? Who do you talk to? You dont even have a real phone. He smiled. He said he had friends. I looked around and decided his friends were very far away. It turns out, though, that his friends had kids. He had city friends and they brought their kids to visit the farm. The place was tricked out for kids: a rope for swinging, baby chicks to hold, baby pigs to pet, and ten cats he let my son feed. We walked to the field with the cattle, past the hens and roosters, alongside the vegetable garden that was for the pigs to eat, stepping through the barbed-wire fence. The farmer scanned his field for the herd of cattle, and my son held his hand while we traipsed toward the cattle. I dont get it. You read my column and sent me an email to come to your farm? I wouldnt send an email to a syndicated newspaper columnist. I saw the note at the bottom of your column about your blog. So I started reading your blog. And then I bought your book. And then I wrote to you. You read career advice? He thought my question was funny. Im an entrepreneur. And I read your blog because you write a lot about entrepreneurship. Youre an entrepreneur? Farming is changing a lot. Its a lot like what you say about how corporations wont take care of you and you have to take care of yourself. The farmer told me about how the buy-local movement is great for his farm. Its increasing profits for farmers who can shift their business model. He called out sort of a bird call (but deeper, for cattle) and the herd walked toward us. I thought there would be a stampede like in a movie, but they just came to say hi. My son fed grass to snot-dripping Angus cattle and I asked the farmer if these cattle are those organic, grass-fed cattle that I see at Trader Joes. The farmer said that they are hormone free and grass fed, but he doesnt get certified organic. Its just jumping through hoops for the government and he doesnt need to do that in order to sell to socially conscious restaurants. I liked that he was cutting corners. I liked that he knew which details to ignore. I asked him how he knew what to write to me in an email, and he said that today, the family farm is about marketing. It was a sales pitch, he said. I thought you had a problem and I thought I could solve it. I thought of all the problems I have and tried to remember which one he said he was solving. I felt like there were so many he could solve, but if he had mentioned them all, Id have never responded to his email. On the way back to the house through the field, he told me he thought I needed a place I could go that was peaceful. He told my son not to step in cow pies. We ducked under the electric fence. He told me it wasnt on, but he wanted us to practice because it might be on the next time we came. I got excited that he thought there would be a next time. I thought my life could be very peaceful here, as I looked out on the fields like they could fill my days. I made a note to see how much it would cost to get wireless Internet at his house. We arrived at the farm at 5pm, so I brought dinner. My son and I are two of the pickiest eaters in the world, but I wanted to bring something that the farmer would like to eat. I brought chicken wraps and vegetable wraps. And I brought bagels for me, because I eat them almost every meal. I brought desert so I seem fun. And I brought popcorn for my son because thats one of the only things I know hed eat that would occupy him for the duration of an adult meal. I know theres a lot of food, I said. You can keep what we dont eat. I dont know if Id eat it all, he said. Maybe you should take back the cupcakes. Just throw out everything you dont want, I said. I looked at the farmer. That did not go over well. Um. You dont throw out food, do you? Not really. No. I thought about throwing out an Angus steak that I grew and slaughtered myself. It would be impossible. I didnt know what to say. Next to my farmer, I looked less like an environmentally-conscious city person and more like a heathen. I told my son he had to eat two mini-Gouda cheeses before the popcorn. Mostly for show. So the farmer thought I didnt let my kid eat popcorn for dinner. The farmer had never seen Gouda cheese. So he put one on his plate. Along with a bagel. The farmer asked if we give thanks before a meal. I looked at him, speechless. I think because I want to be a person who gives thanks, but I could tell he was a person who really did give thanks. He asked if it was okay. And how could I say no, its not okay to give thanks? So the farmer thanked God for our food and our safe trip. And my son ate extra cheese and looked very healthy. And I thanked God that my blog introduces me to people who can change my life. _______________________________________________________________ Other posts about the farmer: How I started taming my workaholic tendencies Self-sabotage is never limited to just one part of your life Think of networking as a lifestyle, not an event

4 Tips for a Healthier Work-life Balance

4 Tips for a Healthier Work-life Balance For a lot of us, finding a healthy work-life balance can seem almost impossible.Managing work responsibilities with family responsibilities while trying to fit in a social life can make anyone feel overwhelmed and stressed.The pressure to succeed in work can make it hard to create a balance between your work and home life.However, creating a healthy work-life balance can increase your productivity and work performance.Here are 4 tips for a healthier work-life balance.4. Create a RoutineIt’s easy to get into a habit of letting work dictate your schedule.I had this problem at a previous job of mine.I would let projects sidetrack me, and it kept me working late hours.I would let clients schedule meetings with me after regular business hours and end up working 10 hour days on top of an hour commute.I quickly found myself feeling burnt out and depressed over never having time for my family.That’s because I let work dictate my schedule and didn’t stick to a routine.To ensure you donâ €™t make the same mistake, create a scheduled routine for your time.Be intentional about your work schedule, making sure you are have built in breaks for yourself and establishing a time for you to leave each day.Be sure to include downtime and hobbies into your routine. While you may not get to do a hobby-related activity every day, you should give yourself at least 30 minutes of personal downtime every day.Once you create a routine, make sure to honor it. If you say you want to attend a weekly yoga class twice a week at 5:45 pm, honor that commitment. Unless it’s an emergency, don’t allow yourself to work through your downtime.3. Unplug From the OfficeI once had a boss warn me to leave work at work. She knew the temptation of answering client calls and emails off work hours, and she warned me about making myself too accessible.Unfortunately, I didn’t listen at first. If a client called or emailed me after work hours, I found myself answering back right then.Clients loved thi s, but soon, I felt like I was always at work.For many workers, technology has made it easier for us to take work with us.No matter where you are, whether you are at home or at the store or even on vacation, the office can be right next to you on your phone or tablet.In order to create a healthier work-life balance, learn to unplug from the office.Once you are home for the day, leave work-related business alone.This means don’t answer work-related emails or messages while you are at home, out to dinner, or on vacation.Disconnect from the office and enjoy your life outside of work.Unplugging from the office will allow you to fully connect with your family and friends and help you enjoy your time off.2. Take Care of Your HealthWhen you are busy or overwhelmed, it can be easy to let your health take a back seat.When I was working long hours and commuting long hours, I stopped taking care of my health.I ate out more. I didn’t exercise as much. I didn’t sleep as much as I should.Af ter a while, I just felt terrible. I was tired and sick all the time, and my work suffered.I realized that if I didn’t make time for my health, I would continue to struggle.So, I joined a gym and went every day before work. I planned my meals carefully, and I got into a good sleep schedule.I suddenly had more energy in the morning and was more productive at work. I was happier and able to get more done.Taking care of your health can have a significant positive impact on your work-life balance.Exercising can reduce your stress, lift your mood, and give you more energy.Fueling your body with good food makes you less likely to feel drained and sick all time.Developing a good sleep schedule makes it easier to get through your day without having to pound multiple cups of coffee.Set time aside to make sure you are taking care of your body and your health. You will feel better, and you will take less sick days, which your employer will enjoy.1. Be Willing to Express Your Needs.The most s ignificant tip I can give you for a healthier work-life balance is learn to be willing to express your needs.A year or so ago, I went through a loss in my family. After only a few days off, I rushed back into work, trying to distract myself from my grief.I didn’t want my employer to know that I was struggling, so I just kept working. But one day, I couldn’t do it anymore. I was miserable and in pain. I actually thought about quitting.But instead, I went to my boss and expressed that I needed time off for my mental health. She was understanding and gave me the time off I needed.In order to create a healthy work-life balance, you need to be aware of your needs and be able to express them.Examine what you need to feel balanced and fulfilled and don’t be afraid to approach the subject with your employer.If you want to leave by a specific time each day to spend time with your kids, express that. Be open and honest with your boss about your needs and see what you can work out.

Perfect Times to Walk Out of a Job Interview

Perfect Times to Walk Out of a Job Interview Let’s face it. The hiring process is an imperfect demon that often leads to job interviews for work that is completely wrong for you. Unfortunately, you also have times when job interviews make you want to get up and leave, politely of course.Instead of toughing it out at your next pointless job interview, read these perfect times to walk out. Sometimes, walking out is doing everyone a favor while making a great impression.When the Job Is the Complete Opposite of What Was DescribedIt happens. Somewhere between the online job posting, networking, and the recruiter, the job details get lost. Suddenly, you find out the pay is terrible, the job title is misleading, and the requirements have changed.Classy move: Quietly let them know this is not the job for you. Thank them for their time and leave.When You Find out the Job Is a ScamThe job you found online called for a “Director of Corporate Development” with a pay range of $100K-$150K. You go to the job interview and get pitched a business idea for a company. Then, it turns out the salary was the estimated guess of the person who posted the job. Simply put, you were lied to in order to get you in for an interview. Don’t expect things to get better from there.Classy move: Let them know you are not interested and leave.When the Interviewer Asks Inappropriate QuestionsThe job interview is going well. Suddenly, the interviewer asks you questions about your age, weight, marital status, or starts making vulgar, suggestive comments. Bailout and leave. This interviewer has the business sense of a caveman and is clearly unaware of EEOC laws. If you do not sue the company, somebody else will and this is not the company you want on a resume.Classy move: Thank the interviewer for his/her time and leave.When You See the Company Will Be a Problem ImmediatelyYou show up for the job interview and the receptionist is rude. The place smells funny and does not look clean. Employees are arguing. You sense tension as people poi nt and whisper at you. It is probably a good idea to pretend this interview never happened.Smart move: Just leave. Pretend you never showed up. You can see the place is toxic. It is best not to associate with anything that leaves you feeling sick from a 1st impression.When the Company’s Service Offends YouLet’s say you are an animal rights activist. You go to a job interview only to find out the company has a fur trading business under its umbrella.Classy move: Hey, be honest with yourself. You should have done your company research, first, before applying. Let them know the job description is a bit different from what you had expected and thank them for their time.When There Was a MiscommunicationSometimes job titles change and even though you are a Customer Service Manager, for example, you thought Customer Success Manager was the same thing. The hiring manager describes the job to you and you find out it is a sales role. No worries at all. This happens as businesses change jo b titles to attract employees with certain skills.Classy move: Let them know you were not aware Customer Success Manager is a sales role. State the type of skills you do have and let them know you would still like to work for the company, but you know this is not the position for you.You made your great impression by showing class, poise, business judgment, and an attitude that screams, “Company comes first”. They will also remember you for saving them time by ending the interview.

New term, new you 5 September resolutions to boost your employability

New term, new you 5 September resolutions to boost your employability While everyone might think of January as the time to start afresh, make some new year resolutions and generally knuckle down with your life goals, September is really the time you should be assessing your progress. Its a new term, and time to decide what your priorities are whether its improving your grades or boosting your employability, its the perfect opportunity to reflect on what youve already achieved and how you can move forward. September also, of course, marks the start of graduate recruitment season, and if thats not the kick you need to get yourself into employable shape, I dont know what is. Job opportunities will be popping up like crazy and recruiters will be on the hunt for the best new talent, so now is the time you should be wanting to impress. Grab yourself a notepad, sit down and make a list of exactly what you want to achieve over the coming months remember to make your goals reasonable and specific. Need some help? Just follow our top tips below and youll be well on your way to a more productive Autumn. Be proactive The main problem most students face when it comes to job hunting and is not thinking proactively. Dont just wait for opportunities to fall into your lap; go out there and get them. When youre applying for jobs and internships over the coming months, youll kick yourself for not doing more to enhance your application now, so think about what you can do off your own back to get ahead. Whether its researching some companies or signing up to an open day, going the extra mile for a piece of course work or contacting someone on LinkedIn for some advice, dont just sit there and expect things to happen. In my final year of university I decided to approach my local newspaper on the off chance they would offer me some work experience. They took me on for a week on and were impressed with my work so much they offered my own regular column something which made me stand out so much more in future job applications. If I hadnt taken that first step and sent that email, I would never have ended up with that opportunity, so take a chance and do something different. Take up a new hobby or do something cool with your current one Are you one of those students who makes vague promises that theyre going to join a society every year but it never happens? Puts their email address down at freshers fairs but never follows through? Now is the time to change that. Having an interesting hobby or extracurricular activity to pop on your CV will make you instantly more interesting as a candidate, and will also act as a great way to take a break from studying and job applications. If youre already part of society, how can you do something different in your role? Can you apply for a committee or leadership position, or can you help organise an event? Have a think about how your society could do something really cool to raise money for charity or to recruit new members. As part of my student newspaper I helped organise a national student media conference. Getting stuck in with projects like this will not only give you extra skills to put on your CV (think project management, interpersonal skills, problem solving) but will show employers that youre brimming with fresh ideas. Push yourself out of your comfort zone This one is all down to your own personal strengths and abilities. Everyones comfort zone will look completely different, so what constitutes as pushing yourself out of it will look really different depending on the person. Whether its trying out for the university hockey team or making more contributions in seminar discussions, think about something which really scares you and push yourself to go there. For me, I was terrified by the thought of networking. But after an alumni event at my university department, I pushed myself to approach the speaker at the end and ask some questions. Despite my nerves, I came across well enough for the speaker to offer me her email address and ask me to get in touch for more advice. Know your own limits and dont forget to look after your own mental wellbeing, of course. But if you give yourself an extra push, I guarantee youll be surprised with the results. Learn a new skill This one can be tricky to fit around your studies, but if do manage to make the time, it will look great on your CV. Think about the industry you want to get into, or the job market in general if youre not quite sure what it is you want to do, and the type of skills employers are looking for. How about taking that basic knowledge of French for GCSE and making it fluent? Or sign up to a beginners coding class? Developing a writing portfolio through a blog, or learning how to shoot and edit video, are all skills that will stand you in good stead for a career in journalism. Dont push yourself too hard and make sure your university grades dont suffer as a result, but having a strong skill that is relevant to your sector can be the difference that sets you above other candidates. Learn how to organise your time This one is essential if youre going to achieve some/all of the above. Juggling a degree, with extracurricular activities, job hunting and a social life is no easy task. If youre going to take on the challenge and come out on top you need to get your organisational skills in check. Buy yourself a diary and write in it. Every day. Write down your meetings, application deadlines, weekly goals and to-do lists. I found I was so much more likely to have a productive day of working if I could clearly see Drinks with friends scheduled in for 8pm. Plan your time effectively, get out of bed earlier and get. stuff. done. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Ten Tips for Better Cover Letters

Ten Tips for Better Cover Letters Are you struggling to create a powerful cover letter to capture the attention of a hiring authority or recruiter? Here are ten tips for writing better cover letters.Begin your cover letter with a compelling statement. Rather than starting your cover letter with a reference to the position you are applying for, write a statement that aligns you with the organization, industry, or job function you are targeting.Minimize the use of the word “I”. Vary your sentences to keep the reader engaged.Ask for the interview. Create a strong call to action in your letter by expressing your interest in the company and requesting an in-person interview.Match your qualifications to the requirements of the job. Create a cover letter that addresses each job requirement point by point. The stronger the match you can make between the two, the greater the likelihood of securing an interview.Build rapport with your audience. Discuss relevant bu siness issues and ask thought provoking questions to show your reader that you recognize their needs.Include a famous quote to make your point. Incorporating quotes that are relevant to the topics your letter is discussing is a great way to create a memorable and impactful letter.Keep the letter to one page. Keep your cover letters short and use short paragraphs and bulleted lists to keep the reader’s attention and make it easy for them to determine the match between your qualifications and their open job. Address the hiring authority by name. The likelihood of building rapport with the reader and validating your interest in the job is increased when the inside cover address refers to the specific person rather than Dear Sir. Whenever possible, sleuth around for additional information on the hiring manager so you can personalize your letter.Reference the position you are applying for. Be sure to mention the job title and job number in the body of your letter as well as in your email subject line. Many hiring authorities request this information and your inability to follow their instructions could jeopardize your candidacy.Dont forget to sign your name. If you are sending a letter regular mail, include your signature. If your correspondence is via email, create an electronic signature.

What Exactly Does a Stanford Resume Template do?

What Exactly Does a Stanford Resume Template do?A Stanford resume template is a must for most business school students who need to create their own resume. It's not only the best tool that you can use to create your own professional looking document, but it also helps to ensure that you don't have to put a lot of effort into your job search. So, what exactly does a Stanford resume template do?One of the biggest differences between a good Stanford resume and one from the university itself is the format. Most well-known business schools will provide their students with templates that will make creating a resume a breeze. However, if you want to create your own unique document, you may want to look into using one of these templates. The way they are set up, these documents will make it much easier for you to create a professional looking resume.One of the main advantages of using a Stanford template is that it will simplify the process of creating a resume. Using the templates makes it much easier to begin creating a good first impression. And, since these templates are standard, you can be sure that it will work in most situations.Another benefit of using a Stanford template is that it makes it much easier to take care of all of the formatting that you would normally do. These templates have helpful tips for eliminating unnecessary formatting. Plus, many of them include tips for creating effective headers that will make it easier to highlight your skills.There are templates that will show you how to write the section you are most concerned about, and the sections that matter the most. They will also show you how to customize a resume as a whole. Since these templates are designed to be easy to use, you can be sure that your chances of getting the job you want are very high.There are even some templates that will help you easily create a custom resume for your own specific needs. If you are a recent college graduate and you have a lot of experience in your field, for example, you will be able to get the most out of the Stanford template by using it to create a specific professional resume. In fact, you may even be able to use one of these templates to help you with your job search even if you don't have a lot of experience in your field.Using a Stanford template is the perfect way to get started in your career. After you get past the part where you have to put a lot of work into finding a job, you can focus on the part where you get to create a great first impression. This will make it much easier for you to get the job you want.Using a Stanford template is easy. You just have to learn a few tips about making a great first impression.