Influencer ethics on Instagram

[MadameGrizzly]

Continuing the discussion on whether influencing on Instagram is an ethical business model, particularly around the disclosure of advertising and the over exposure of children.

AIBU to think it isn't a sustainable career unless the influencer is scrupulously ethical?

Sorry FlyingBird I'm being dense what do you mean about messaging a stranger?

@NeverWas we are seeking to drive change, absolutely. But it definitely stemmed from a ‘why is no one else driving this?’ place. I’m no more qualified to speak at Whitehall or at The Welsh Assembly than, perhaps, you or anyone else here. (I could be wrong; please step up if anyone is qualified as a flexible working consultant because I DO need help). Flex Appeal is a campaign to drive change by simply cracking open the discussion to 160,000 people. Hopefully informing them along the way (with our self-funded Soft Play, Hard Talk events and Work It Out Forum with PTS) and creating relevant content (mainly in association with Timewise and EHRC) to drive change. We’ve (myself and Jane Johnson from Careering into motherhood who runs a recruitment firm and feels frustrated at the current set-up) just finished a meeting at BEIS Whitehall where they said the biggest way we are going to see change is by leading with PR. Highlighting good practice, celebrating positive case studies, using the carrot not the stick approach. It’s a cultural workplace change that ultimately has to happen so that’s what we are trying to do. Whether it’s useful, impactful or worth continuing is something we are looking into. As I’ve mentioned, I’m in a transition period, preying Horticulture Week take me back.

FWIW MP I think that you write beautifully, your blogs on miscarriage particularly, were incredibly moving. So please keep doing that.

Oh lightbulb moment, is that why you stepped away from Hello/Next, MP? It conflicted with EHRC principles?

@FlyingBird, no problem, we launched the campaign Flex Appeal two years ago - it is our campaign. We approached relevant bodies like EHRC and Timewise to feed each other with relevant information and support. Same with PTS - I send anyone with legal issues their way and speak for free for them whenever it is needed. We are supported by both Timewise (Karen Mattison spoke at our launch SPHT event and the EHRC are speaking at our next one) but not in any way funded by them. (My eldest daughter was the first ‘woman’ to sign the EHRC Working Forward pledge - that was discussed as a potentially nice PR angle because she was three at the time - and what we are doing here (even if seemingly shonkily) is for her). In terms of payment, our #ads pay for our time. We only charge big businesses (like Sky, for example) when they want us to present (which takes man hours in terms of preparation) to internal groups. But the BBC was a general chat last week, as was Lego last month. I have (hopefully) never pretended to be anything other than a flexible working foghorn.

@NeverWas exactly. I should have seen it, of course.

Thanks MP for clarifying. PR is important of course.

I think the message might be confused by association with instamums/merchandise. Flexible working should be people being able to work in their current roles, not mum's ditching their jobs to jiggle kids on their hips on IG? Both are fine but quite distinct.

Are you quitting being flex appeal mother pukka if you get a job then?

Mums not mum's.

MP - if you were only relaying information, that would be fine. But you aren't. You have an enormous role shaping an agenda. I can see from your insta that you are in another government meeting today, sharing your views on what you think should happen with flexible working. And the only reason you are in the room is because you have a relatively large insta following - not because you have knowledge or skills or experience or authority - but because 160,000 people follow your stories about your family and your freebies and your clothes. It's completely absurd. I don't want you to speak for me. Why not just use your profile to promote the work of others?

And before you ask - there are SO many ways to address this. If you really believe you should be doing this work, then do it properly and honestly. Hold a round table and hear the views and experience of people who know more than you. Run an online survey and capture views and experiences wider than the people who DM you and your mates. Refuse to go on panels unless you are the host and tease out the views of informed and skilled people. Refuse to go on panels unless they are diverse. Make sure your website accurately portrays the work of the EHRC and others and don't take credit for their outputs. Get your authority from more than a group of fawning, unquestioning followers.

@NeverWas that is exactly what we believe. You are spot on. The grass is not greener and we want people to fight for what they have. Fight for the careers they’ve worked for. Not start selling teething rings online off the back foot. It’s interesting that my status as an instamum muddles that. I’ve never said ditch your career and set up a business, so useful to get that feedback.

No MP I don't think you had said that but the pregantthenscrewed conference confused that message, no?

And I am a bit surprised that just you and a recruitment company are attending government meetings. I am a bit confused by the whole set up now, to be honest. But better to be confused than in the dark completely, as I was previously. Thanks for engaging on here.

And btw I am in no way a flexible working expert. I work flexibly and it was relatively easy to request after a year in employment, so I have no idea how one navigates refusals on 'commercial grounds' or deals with redundancy when pregnant/on maternity leave etc. I am really interested to see what progress is made.

@Bullnoway that’s exactly what we are moving towards. I am currently working on content to highlight the positive case studies (supported by feedback given in Whitehall today) on my platform and I always highlight the other parties we work with (Timewise and EHRC) across my social media, along with case studies from the likes of Deloitte who have a dedicated agile working area on their website - transparency is a big focus point across the board. My recommendations are influenced by input from Timewise and EHRC who are doing everything you are saying above. I would be replicating their work in essence but it is something I will consider once my youngest is in nursery and time is on my side. And while you might not be on board with me personally, I am able to articulate a lot of what is being said. Timewise and the EHRC are already effectively fighting the flexible working corner. I am coming from a different angle, speaking in a different tone of voice and am being asked to these meetings in my capacity as a former employee at L’Oreal Group whose flexible working request was denied. I’m the employee case study in many ways, hence why I was asked to give evidence at The Welsh Assembly. Rightly or wrongly, I am doing things differently and - much like the Hello/Next debacle - changes, however small, are being made. (In reference to Hello/Next I have heard from a number of companies saying “your fuck up has made us think differently”). I don’t need to be liked in the process of trying to change things.

@NeverWas yes, maybe confusing in retrospect but there were three of us on the panel - one speaking specifically about job sharing and another a recruitment website Mummy Jobs - and the information I tried to bestow was based on successful stories I had heard through my channels. For example, suggesting a trial period of flexible working to hold the hand of reluctant employers. Channelling anger and frustration towards an employer into something positive like launching a Parent Network. For those that find that overwhelming, perhaps a buddy system where you support someone going off on parental leave. Didn’t mention batch cooking. Small grains of (hopefully) useful experience gleaned from the murky Insta waters. I always preface any discussion with ‘I am no expert’. I am a PR tool. Some might just feel the latter but I am meeting with governmental bodies as Anna Whitehouse, former employee at L’Oreal Group. Yes, they are no doubt interested in my platform but if it means progression of some sort, I hope that speaking as my experience from an employee perspective is only a positive thing. Flex Appeal was founded the day I quit my job so that is the heart of it - how to prevent others from feeling they have to jump ship.

@FlyingBird appreciate the probing, it allows me to clarify things - and I am going to make it much clearer on our website after this. We are OK with words, just need a little more support on the strategy and direction. I can’t really give much assurance other than, we are doing what we can. Inbetween requests for the ‘Peppa Pig bowl NOT the Paw Patrol bowl’.

MP it is becoming somewhat clearer, loads of names in there.

What do you say after Anna L’oreal etc
Do you say I run a campaign Flex Appeal with x followers or we work with EHRC. Or we are the PR or other?

Just wondering why they meet with you, unless they are looking for ex employees

Yes MP it's all clear to me now thank you. I hope you find more support from 'experts' too as said by Bullnoway, and reword your website Q&A as said by Gobbolino. Flexible working is not just for jumpsuited hipsters after all

Sorry FlyingBird, your flu, my attempt at multitasking I meant my mum would agree that nabbing centrepieces wasn't 'classy'

Just for clarity. If you are in the room as a case study, sharing your exeprience that is entirely different from opining on policy or being a PR. Which is it? Your insta very clearly says it's policy, while you have been called out on taking credit for the very serious work of others. And, as I said, either way it's because of your followers and they do not make your views and experiences more valid than anyone else's or give you expert knowledge. You keep say change is coming - I'll wait and see - but you've been doing this for three years, and I can't see any evidence of you collecting case studies or promoting experts in that very long period. I'll hope to see a survey or a call for evidence or a round table very soon.

Another thought: why not start a campaign which is about expertise - encourage your instamum friends to promote experts, rather than sharing their personal views?

@MarshaBradyo hey, so yes, I am there in my capacity as a former employee - hearing daily from other former employees who couldn’t make work actually work. Flex Appeal began in a place where my flexible working request was rejected for ‘fear of opening up the floodgates’ so I am simply questioning why the floodgates can’t be opened. (And if they are, what issues then abound and how can we solve them). I impart my (personal) experience, which is backed up by research from Timewise and the EHRC (I don’t claim that as my own) and then introduce Flex Appeal, which aims to give a voice, a platform (and hopefully solutions) to those in the same boat as I was. Those solutions are communicated through events we run like Soft Play, Hard Talk, the Work It Out forum (with PTS) and social media posts. I get wheeled out for events because I can, perhaps, articulate the human experience that a lot of official bodies can’t. My role is in communicating the issue to companies and feeding back on any progress to those seeking answers. I don’t know if I should be the person to do this but I don’t charge my followers or the government for my time so I am pressing on because I feel - on balance - it is hopefully doing more good than harm. But that’s why I am here - there is no point me continuing, while isolating people along the way.

@Bullnoway so I am giving the human side of the flexible working coin to anyone that listens and my platform, Mother Pukka is a PR tool. I’ll edit anything that says I’m changing policy. I can’t remember saying I’m changing policy but will weed out any confusion across my channels. And you are absolutely right, I should not be taking credit where credit is not due - pull me up here or on Instagram if anything seems untoward and I’ll keep my mind/mouth in better check. Otherwise, all good points and as mentioned, I’m in a transition period and will honestly - not just saying it here to appease - take all your points into consideration. I think one poster mentioned earlier taking on a cause for the sake of it. I think mental health/body positivity was mentioned and I agree it’s best not to encourage individuals/instagrammers to take on a cause outside of what they feel comfortable with. I feel there’s room for expertise and peonies - as long as someone showcasing the latter isn’t promising to have the former. But I’m sure many are reading these threads so your words won’t be lost. I am also sorry you found the panel session I did at PTS redundant. While I can handle criticism, it’s still a small kick in the gut. I understand now, reading this, why you felt that, though.

@Bullnoway realise I’ve completely misread your ‘expertise’ request. As you were and ignore what I’ve said. I’m on the Tube now so back later.