Case Studies – Being Fair in Recruitment

Tom

Tom was interviewed for a job as a support worker by an organisation supporting 3 men. Tom was welcomed by a man who is supported by the service, and was offered a drink.

Tom was told, that the interview before his, was running over by 30 minutes. Whilst waiting for his interview, a woman entered who was the next candidate. A member of staff welcomed her but didn’t offer her a drink.

The manager and area manager interviewed Tom in the staff room. The atmosphere was relaxed and fairly comfortable. Tom had prepared for the interview by following the job description and person specification. Tom felt able to answer all the questions and share his experiences.

After the interview Tom was shown around the service by the man who had offered him a drink. Tom noticed a lot of Sheffield United pictures on the man’s wall. As Tom is a keen football fan they began discussing the game. Unfortunately, Tom supports a different team to the man and the man didn’t like it. The man stopped showing Tom around and showed him out.

Tom was not offered the job. This surprised him because he had answered all the questions in the interview fully and felt that things had gone well.

Jasminda

Jasminda works in a café with other people with learning difficulties. The café needed to recruit 2 more support workers because of its popularity.

It was agreed that Jasminda should be part of the recruitment process, because she is good at talking to anyone. Jasminda thought it was important that she wrote her own questions. She decided that she would learn them so she didn’t appear too stiff and formal.

Connect in the North 0113 270 32 33 info@citn.org.uk

The manager who was interviewing with Jasminda was writing questions about the skills needed to work in a kitchen, so Jasminda decided to ask about personal qualities. She wanted to know the new staff would fit into the busy team.

At the interview Jasminda asked her questions, and then wanted to find out more. She has 3 nieces and 4 nephews so asked about the candidates families and if they were married. 1 of the candidates was a woman who said she was single. Jasminda asked when the woman was going to get married and have children.

Jasminda and the manager interviewed 8 people for the job over the day. By the end they both felt tired and had difficulty remembering what was said.

Ned

Ned lives in the family home with his parents who have increasing health needs. The social worker has encouraged Ned’s parents to apply for direct payments on Ned’s behalf. The social worker wants Ned and his family to be comfortable with the personal assistants who will be working in their home. The social worker asked for Ned’s mum to be part of the interview process. Ned doesn’t use words to communicate so he can’t ask interview questions.

Ned’s mum, shortlisted the candidates by herself, this was because the social worker didn’t have time to help her. Ned’s mum was looking for young people because Ned is obese and he needs someone fit and healthy to support him with his personal care. She shortlisted people who were all under 30.

Ned’s mum hasn’t ever done recruitment so she has asked people to send their C.V’s.

The social worker interviewed with Ned’s mum but was keen on Ned being involved in some way. At the interview they took pictures of the good candidates. They were shown to Ned at the end of the day. Ned indicated who he liked the look and they were offered the job.

Connect in the North 0113 270 32 33 info@citn.org.uk