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 I had to laugh this week when I read that an advert put out by the NHS for an anaesthetist included the phrase and ‘the usual rubbish about equal opportunities’!
As gaffes go though, its not massively surprising is it? When you think that equal opportunities legislation came in in the mid 70’s, we have had decades of people talking about it, writing about it, debating it, including the necessary statements in tenders, contracts, reports etc etc and inevitably complacency sets in.
But there’s a difference isn’t there between someone talking about equal opportunities ‘rubbish’ rather than equal opportunities ‘stuff’ or ‘gubbins’ - or something similar - if what occurred was someone drafting the job requirements for the advertisement was just trying to remind the admin. team to include the necessary equal opportunities phrase.
So why do some people think equal opportunities statements/practices are ‘rubbish’?
- Because they are biased themselves? e.g. against certain races, the opposite sex, those with disabilities, the young, the old, those of differing sexuality to their own etc?
- Because they in fact have no real biases themselves and therefore can’t see the value in such policies.
- Because plain and simple they hate seemingly meaningless statements that are just churned out by organisations without thought?
- Because words such as these are spoken, but behind closed doors their view is that actual practice does not reflect policy?
- Because the management say one thing but down the line the experience is very different indeed?
- Because they are bored of it all. Bored of this constantly being on the agenda. Bored of all the talk. Bored of some saying no progress is being made.
- Or perhaps because they are bored by the whole political correctness of it all which leaves them unable to joke, have fun, enjoy the working environment as they previously did before the ‘thought police’ came in and everyone started getting over sensitive about who said what and about whom?
- Because there is one group in our society who is at times getting more and more discontent. A group that no equal opportunities policy every really considers – the UK white male population - who at times feel undervalued and unfairly criticised.
So a few questions then…
- Do you know what your equal opportunities clause in job adverts actually says?
- Is the clause still fit for purpose?
- What do applicants think about what you say or do they ignore it?
- What do your existing staff think about what you say or do they ignore it?
- Is there a different approach you could take that appears more meaningful than a box ticking exercise?
- Will we ever reach a point when there is little original thought in business, so dependent are we on ticking boxes, covering our backs, keeping our heads down below the parapet or do you believe that the time will come when little by little we start to push back?
For diversity training that is more challenging than box ticking, for disability awareness training that is thought provoking, for employment law training that requires delegates to engage brain and learn how to balance differing business needs, why not give us a call?
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