Here in the U.S. we often talk about the importance of training for managers and supervisors. Most of us in HR realize that most companies get in "trouble" due to the things said and done by managers and supervisors. Well here is a great example of that. From Australia we have the Mayor of Mount Isa, John Molony, making the public statement to the newspaper that read "May I suggest if there are five blokes to every girl, we should find out where there are beauty-disadvantaged women and ask them to proceed to Mount Isa." He proceeded to compound his error by further stating "Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face,.....Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness."
Needless to say his comment, thus interpreted as RECRUIT UGLY WOMEN has not been received well by the women in the area. One even countered "We've got a saying up here that the odds are good, but the goods are odd."
I am not too sure if there is an HR person in Mount Isa, probably not, but if there was I am sure they had the same reaction any US based HR person would have. Basically "OMG what has he done." By the way, the mayor has not taken kindly to the fire-storm of controversy that has erupted and has essentially said he was misquoted.
How would you like to be the recruiter handling that assignment and running the ad stating "Only Ugly Women Need Apply."
This is just a lesson to all HR people... DO YOUR TRAINING AHEAD OF TIME! Not after a manager or supervisor has stuck his/her foot in the organization's mouth.
If you wish to read the article link here.
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