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Original poster

awkward work issue

170 replies

moreexcitingthanbegonias · 12/11/2020 20:56

I've just started a new job, and am currently in a handover period with the current postholder.

Without giving too much away for obvious reasons I was shown a document today that the panel who interviewed me used to select candidates for interview. The members of the panel shortlisted separately. The individual who shortlisted me put me down as a no because, in their words, my "english wasn't good".

TBH I was gobsmacked by this. I went over my cover letter and CV again and there were no grammatical or spelling errors at all, no weird clunky sentences, nothing. I have a first class degree in English and an MA. Of all the things that would count against me in a shortlisting process, this isn't even something I would consider.

The only thing I can think of is that I have a foreign name because my parents aren't British. But I was born and raised here. I don't even speak another language: English is my mother tongue.

Anyway maybe I'm being over sensitive but I feel upset about this now - the Director in question is my line manager and I'm worried. He gave me a 2 out of 5 on the form - and yet I was shortlisted, interviewed and given the role?!

I have got zero confidence as it is and it's taken a massive plummet tonight.

OP posts:
Sarahandco · 12/11/2020 23:37

I think you should try and forget about it now. You got the job after presumably changing his mind about you as a candidate. You can never really be sure what the reason was. It could be a sinister reaction to your foreign name or it could be that he wrote on the wrong application form after reading 18 other application forms or it is probably unlikely, but could it have been a sarcastic in-joke, as you have a 1st in English.

Safeties · 12/11/2020 23:39

OP I have to say if it were me I’d just be honest. Maybe not right now while you’re feeling upset about it, but I would certainly ask for a quick chat and just tell them what you saw and how you feel...explain you’re here to do your best and seeing a 2/5 concerned you and is it something you could understand and learn from. Be nice about it. In my experience if you’re in a decent job then people respect direct and polite honesty.

Aside from that I’d also say that you got the job because you were best. I got a low mark in one out of 6 tasks (one of which included an interview). I did great in the rest, got the job and all I cared about was that I was better than the rest and got the job. I would be pretty confident this manager doesn’t even recall what he wrote without seeing it again. As for the name and racism thing, who knows, but seems unlikely given that you got the job in the end and were obviously progressed to interview.

For what it’s worth, in my industry everyone thinks their writing style is best. If you’re good at writing it’s sometimes even easier to have it criticised for not having the right tone etc...I really wouldn’t think more on that. You can obviously spell and have a first class degree. Case closed, have confidence Cake Wine

SillyFilly · 12/11/2020 23:46

Sorry if it has been suggested but I haven't read every response. Do you think she sent it to you because she feels intimidated by you and is worried that they won't want her back? They guy who wrote those comments may be very good friends with her and wanted someone in the post who wouldn't make her look bad and out shine her by doing a better job. I think for her to send that document to you was a dick move TBH.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 13/11/2020 00:27

What @SillyFilly said x 100

Links in with the weird office politics too

Lululatch · 13/11/2020 06:40

OP I’m afraid I haven’t read all the responses so apologies if already suggested. Do you have an HR department? I’d be inclined to have a quiet word. If the company has a diversity and inclusion policy it is in breach of that and there is certainly a data protection issue. Don’t make a big fuss but say it’s been bothering you.

From the replies I read it sounds like I’m
In the minority though!

Quirrelsotherface · 13/11/2020 06:49

I was always told you never put a comma after the word 'and'.

StealthPolarBear · 13/11/2020 06:52

I don't think the op has. Could be wrong but really this is just something you were always taught.

Cochondinde · 13/11/2020 06:53

Ahh, unconscious bias strikes! Absolutely shit for you OP - you are right to be angry. I'd keep hold of the letter and raise it with HR, but get the lay of the land first. What a nob!

StealthPolarBear · 13/11/2020 06:53

In fact I've just done a search for and, in her posts and nothing came up.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 13/11/2020 07:05

You do if it's an Oxford comma (which mine wasn't) but I was typing on my phone - I didn't do that in the cover letter!

OP posts:
Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 13/11/2020 07:06

Do you have an HR department?

No, the company is tiny. I basically am the HR department.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 13/11/2020 07:06

There seem to be some really odd posts from people desperate to catch you out.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 13/11/2020 07:08

Oh I didn't put a comma after and in my OP anyway!

There seem to be some really odd posts from people desperate to catch you out.

That's ok. I'm satisfied that there isn't a problem with my English!!

OP posts:
Cochondinde · 13/11/2020 07:12

Honestly, I'd speak to Acas. I've been in the situation where someone tried to discard CVs where the name didn't sound traditionally "British". I absolutely hate this type of shit. I raised this with HR and got this person sent on equality and diversity refresher training. This shouldn't be happening in 2020.

StealthPolarBear · 13/11/2020 07:18

Exactly. Wish Quirrelsotherface would come back and tell us why that comment was relevant.

Oblomov20 · 13/11/2020 07:19

Maternity leave woman did this on purpose to unsettle you.
Director is clearly an idiot though.

Original poster
moreexcitingthanbegonias · 13/11/2020 07:21

I was partly brought in to help them bring their equality and diversity up to scratch so I suppose I can use this!

OP posts:
OhTheRoses · 13/11/2020 07:32

The person you are replacing has been mischievous.

I had a feeling you were HR where accurate drafting is actually very important and so is the data!

You will never know what the intentions of others were but if you are HR, as a BAME person, (apologies if my assumption is wrong) you can influence how recruitment is managed moving forward can you not and move towards a blind application process. You can identify how many BAME candidates convert to appointment now and in 12 months.

Isn't it better to move forward and implement some improvements and discuss what motivated you to do that in 6 to 12 months' time and work to influence the acceptance of more inclusive policies and start to embed them until they become part of the organisational culture.

Use what you perceive as a personal slight to improve recruitment and EDI. Is that not the positive and best way for an HR professional to deal with this - it's part of your role to ensure people don't go to ACAS and tribunal so work to ensure the infrastructure is such that that is minimised.

If it was an act of unconscious or even conscious bias you have every right to be cross but use your anger and your role to positively and practically ensure the experience for others is better in the future.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 13/11/2020 07:51

I'd definitely approach them and ask for feedback on the interview.

ThankyouPeter · 13/11/2020 07:52

@moreexcitingthanbegonias

I was partly brought in to help them bring their equality and diversity up to scratch so I suppose I can use this!
It that case I would be tempted to say to your line manager that you have realised that the company doesn't redacted applicants personal details from applications for shortlisting. This is important to protect the organisation from allegations of bias, whether conscious or unconscious. That might be subtle enough to get your point across without a confrontation.
Fleurdelys1 · 13/11/2020 08:04

Maybe your colleague wanted to undermine you, and “edited” the document before “accidentally” forwarding it onto you.

Maybe it’s a toxic workplace due to the toxic director.

In either case, keep you head down and good luck looking for another job.

eurochick · 13/11/2020 08:08

I'd wonder if she showed it to warn you that the line manager is a bit of a racist...

EarringsandLipstick · 13/11/2020 08:12

OP it's unquestionably racist

The person leaving is shit-stirring.

As it's just a maternity leave cover, I would approach your LM with this information and challenge him.

I also would look for another role.

This place sounds all kind of toxic.

Livelovebehappy · 13/11/2020 08:17

I think jumping to the conclusion of racism when you’ve just started the job is wrong. You need to focus on the job and monitor the situation as you go. Once you get to know him you might formulate an entirely different opinion, and his reasons might then be clearer. Based on what you’ve said, it seems you’re fixated in your mind that his comment is as a result of a racist attitude. It would be wrong to try to destroy someone’s career by reporting a comment on something which isn’t clear yet. Focus on your new role, get to know him, listen to your colleagues and their relationship with him. You may find you need to address the situation at a later date, but I just think it would be a bad move as a new employee at this stage.

ThePlantsitter · 13/11/2020 08:30

I was partly brought in to help them bring their equality and diversity up to scratch so I suppose I can use this!

Yes as soon as she's out the door take decisive action about the company's new blind shortlisting policy.

I think this is one of those times where you can just be frighteningly competent and deal with this that way. If there is racism in the company you will find out and then you can decide what to do about that.

I strongly suspect that things will change as soon as this woman has left for maternity leave.