Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Employers 'rude to job applicants'

Barrie Clement,Labour Editor
Sunday 18 September 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

EMPLOYERS often treat job applicants with 'complete disregard and sometimes real rudeness', according to a report published today.

Many companies cannot be bothered to reply to applications, fail to inform candidates about interview results and treat people discourteously at interviews.

The study, Managing Best Practice, published by the Industrial Society, also urges companies to avoid aggressive questioning and 'peculiarities' such as seating interviewees on a lower chair.

The survey of 400 personnel managers and directors found that, despite the misgivings of experts in the field, interviews remained the most used selection technique. Assessment centres and presentations by candidates were both rated ahead of psychometric tests for reliability.

Elsewhere, managers are putting pressure on company nurses to divulge confidential information about employees, the Royal College of Nursing has said. Graham Johnson, chairman of the college's occupational health section, said nurses have been threatened with disciplinary action unless they comply with demands for information.

All registered nurses, however, were duty-bound to uphold the code of professional conduct and only disclose details where required by a court, or where it could be justified in the public interest, Mr Johnson said.

Mr Johnson, who works in the occupational health department at Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust, told the magazine Personnel Management Plus he would never reveal details of an individual's health, but would offer management advice on whether it affected his or her ability to do the job.

Managing Best Practice No 4 on Recruitment and Selection; Industrial Society Sales Unit; 021 454 6769.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in