Build your professional network on facebook via our app Go to app
 
 
Posted in Community :

HR Professionals

 

Can firms seek applicants based on their origin?

Created by : Nikhil Jain, Senior Consultant, Hewitt Associates  | 03 18 2010 13:49:54 +0000
Industry : Human Resources (HR) ConsultingFunctional Area : Performance Management(People Management)
Keywords : employees firms it company applicants british firms indian origin uk firms racialism
Activity:  209 views;  last activity : 07 06 2010 20:18:09 +0000

A British computer company's advertisement seeking an applicant "preferably of Indian origin" has been dubbed racist by campaigners. The advertisement for the 38,000 pounds a year post was branded "quite clearly racist" by agitated campaigners who claimed it showed anti-British discrimination and urged the equalities watchdog to launch an immediate investigation.

So users, can firms seek applicants based on their origin?

  
 Refer 2494
Share
 
 
  Rate : 
 
 
Yes Vs No
10
 
 
 
 
16
6
8
Support   Support
Top Argument
6
0

Yes, for some specialized activities.

 

If they need a person speaking Hindi, English and Tamil where will they get one. Impossible to find an Cacussian speaking these three languages fluently. 

 

Or if they need a Hindu Priest or a dosa maker, etc. Very hard to get a Philipino Dosa Chef :-)

 

So, it is not wrong.

 

The protesters would not have protested for any ads seeking a white person (Caucasian) for any job. Since there would have been no protest, we dont know as to how many such ads appear each month.

 
By G A Narayan, VP - Marketing, KE Housing P. Ltd.  03 18 2010 14:52:07 +0000
 
Top Argument
3
0

Must be different in the U.K.  In the U.S., it's illegal to discriminate based upon national origin.  You could say, "Must be fluent in Hindi"!

... Many good comments!  I was being overly simplistic about the U.S., too.  We have, or had, "affirmative action" to help minorities gain university admission, government jobs, and so on.  From what Indian friends have told me about Scheduled Tribes and Castes, sounds somewhat similar.
By Rich Biggs, IS Professional  03 20 2010 13:33:18 +0000
0
0

I think that it is good as per the requirement of the job applicant is applying for.Indians are hardworking and better at calculations.And we should abstain from colouring everything with racism.By doing so,we ourselves make fun of us.
By DEEPAK SHARMA, Business Acquisition through Bidding channels, RFPs, Account Management, Relationship Management, Safaltek Software Pvt. Ltd.  | 03 21 2010 02:40:52 +0000
1
0

There is nothing wrong or right, if the intentions are clearly stated. In India we have government organisations advertising positions only for some set of people based on caste, this dose not mean India is "racist", it is looking at improving its social situation. When advertisements are made for a specific skills it dose not mean that organisation is doing wrong.  Similarly, a company advertising for a specific national is not "racist", if the job description makes it clear.
By AKNR Chandra Sekhar, Manager-Release Management, ANZ Operations and Technology  | 03 19 2010 18:42:12 +0000
1
0

Well there is this elderly couple who are very traditional South Indian Bhramins. They need a person to Cook for them and the person they intend to employ has to be a vegetarian Bharamin person. Now how do they advertise for this. If you call this racist then you are depriving the elderly couple to follow what they believe in. They are not hurting anyone by asking and wanting a Bhramin to cook for them. There may be similar stories concerning Jains or other communities.

I am putting this because there are such cases in our country. We frequently see ads mentioning Veg tenants only, Apartments for Bhramins / Jain Only, Jain / Bhramin Cooks only, Catholics tenants Only, etc, etc.

 
By G A Narayan, VP - Marketing, KE Housing P. Ltd.  | 03 19 2010 12:15:02 +0000
2
0

Yes, why not and this is nothing new, specially in the field of Oil & Gas and for the freelance contractual jobs. Also this happens, depending upon the location of the job, where you need Personnel of specified nationalities

These days, demand for qualified, competent, multi-lingual, multi-discipline  Indians is more, as we are cost-effective, compared to British, European and American candidates
By Veejay Bhatia, Administration Manager / Recruitment Coordinator, French Firm dealing in Oil & Gas, Dubai (UAE)  | 03 18 2010 16:15:57 +0000
1
0

Whatever you think, there are still a lot of cultural differences in the world. In that respect, in order to target a certain audience, it can be vital to have someone of the right origin for a position.

 

For example, doing business in the netherlands differs greatly from doing business in belgium. It even makes a lot of difference between Amsterdam and Maastricht.

I myself would have a hard time selling anything in the deep south, while it is rather easy for me to sell things in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
By Dennis Aries, Owner, Arkro IT  | 03 18 2010 15:00:40 +0000
1
0

We should not be emotional and think India-centric only - this is a question of ethics.

Dont know what remains the 'law' in that country. But it is racist and the Co may not be said to be a "Equal Opportunity" one.

In case of personal Ads, it does not matter. One may seek helping hands as per his / her requirements. Even in India, there is the "reservation policy" duly approved by constitution. This is also out of perview of such topic.
By ASOKE KUSARI, Domestic Private Banking-Executive/Manager, A large leading PSU Bank - India  | 03 23 2010 13:43:24 +0000
0
0

Appointment should not be sought based on origin except for rewuirement in the Job domain states so.Many companies take advantage of this and push their secret agenda of bias in recruitment.
By SACHIN KORDE, Business Head, KAMAL AUTO  | 03 23 2010 13:16:04 +0000
0
0

Discrimination on Race, religion, age, colour, gender or sexual orientation are all illegal in the UK. You can't even ask a woman if she is, or is likely to get pregnant or whether she has child care arrangements in place


By John Hill, Sales Head, Hunter Stuckey Marshall  | 03 23 2010 11:40:01 +0000
1
0

It is explicitly mentioned in every MNC job posting of being equal opportunity partner and discrimination policy is held high in employee handbook, therefore any company citing such naive policy should be charged of discrimination by the law of the land. But it is always possible to highlight skills and experiences such as language, knowledge of a area etc as a must in posting a job.

 
By Subhasis Bhattacharya, Sr. Manager Operations, Narayana Hrudayalaya  | 03 19 2010 10:34:36 +0000
1
0

The answer is a strict NO. The Ad mentioned here overtly gives a racist message. As Mr. Rich Biggs mentioned in the first argument, the company could have given advertisements specifying the skill sets for the reqd job like knowledge in hindi, etc.

The companies should look for specific skill sets rather than focusing on the candidates ethnic origin. The equality of human beings should be maintained at all levels.
By John Daniel, Business Development Executive, Triassic Solutions  | 03 19 2010 07:25:52 +0000
1
0

No, why should we have these specifications.  Globally these days everybody is so very competent to be multi-tasking, multi-discipline, multi-lingual that the opportunity can be given to the best talent rather then have any discrimination.
By S Usha, Manager HR  | 03 19 2010 06:22:37 +0000
1
0

This is quite clearly racist. This should be reported to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in the hope for once that they might take action against something that discriminates against most British people. This raises a question about the way some British companies are bringing in workers instead of recruiting them here.
By Nikhil Jain, Senior Consultant, Hewitt Associates  | 03 18 2010 13:49:54 +0000
Argue for "Yes"
Argue for "No"
 Found the debate "Can firms seek applicants based on their origin?"  interesting ?  Suggest to your connections and communities  
Leading HR Consulting Company
  • Create a confidential Career Profile and Resume/C.V. online
  • Get advice for planning their career and for marketing of experience and skills
  • Maximize awareness of and access to the best career opportunities
Viewers also viewed
Kerela IT firms are hunting hackers .. recruiting them in their companies...This is  unique way...
 
2872 referals 23 arguments, 401 views
MNC vs SMALL PVT. FIRM
 
97 referals 6 arguments, 289 views
Hi, I am SUkhmani Sachdev. I am seeking a good entry level in any of the management filed...
 
17 referals 4 comments, 61 views
more...  
Recent Knowledge (4)
WE HAD A GOOD NUMBER OF INVENTORS WITH GREATER VISION ABOUT THE SOCIETY. INVENTORS HERE NEED NOT...
 
2 referals 2 arguments, 97 views
These days as I switch on the tv or radio or look at a hoarding I do feel that power of ads I...
 
3004 referals 23 arguments, 492 views
C vs B
 
0 referals 3 arguments, 51 views
more...  
Sponsored Jobs
More From Author
Kerela IT firms are hunting hackers .. recruiting them in their companies...This is  unique way of finding the talent because formal degree does not matter here and what you get is the best people. But what about safety factor.. Is your comany...
Reservations are always in govt orgs.. and the drop outs do not open them.. do they? Managers having poor marks has nothing to do here becasue either they have establlished the platform or they have enough experience and to add to this let me tell you...
Business schools were meant to be guides and they don't create a perfect person, they give raw mind a direction.
more...  
  • Popular Knowledge
  •  
  •  
  • Popular Jobs
  •