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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be amazed at this job ad

59 replies

badjobad · 19/09/2021 16:34

Saw an ad for a job that states the candidate must be great at ‘managing his time’in the Person Specification! In 2021…

The company is Global Interactive Marking Online

To be amazed at this job ad
To be amazed at this job ad
OP posts:
Original poster
badjobad · 19/09/2021 16:35

*Marketing

OP posts:
Singlebutmarried · 19/09/2021 16:36

Well you wouldn’t want someone who procrastinates and then does it all at the last minute would you?

Time management is pretty essential.

gardeninggirl68 · 19/09/2021 16:38

if you are referring to the use of 'his' i'm sure its just a typo/oversight!

Original poster
badjobad · 19/09/2021 16:38

It’s the fact that they specify HIS not the time management!

OP posts:
123ZYX · 19/09/2021 16:39

@Singlebutmarried

Well you wouldn’t want someone who procrastinates and then does it all at the last minute would you?

Time management is pretty essential.

I assume it's the reference to "his" that's the issue. Like they've already decided they're recruiting a man
BlackberryMuncher · 19/09/2021 16:41

🙄🙄🙄

Perhaps the person they're replacing is male & they were thinking more about the attributes the person needs, not what's between their legs. Stop making an issue where there isn't one.

123ZYX · 19/09/2021 16:42

I can't remember where I read it now, but I have seen that just using words more associated with stereotypical men or women can influence how many men/ women will apply.

On that basis, I would have thought that using "his" would have an even bigger impact.

shapes1 · 19/09/2021 16:42

It says at the bottom the company name GIMO obvs short for something so why don't u phone up and have a moan at them

Original poster
badjobad · 19/09/2021 16:44

I think it’s an issue if the recruiter clearly has a man in mind as the potential new recruit!

OP posts:
Pemmican · 19/09/2021 16:45

At least they have all the protected characteristics right, including SEX.

Unlike all the more right-on public sector orgs that I have dealings with.

scarpa · 19/09/2021 16:48

Ugh. It's just so easy not to make that masculine.

123ZYX · 19/09/2021 16:50

@123ZYX

I can't remember where I read it now, but I have seen that just using words more associated with stereotypical men or women can influence how many men/ women will apply.

On that basis, I would have thought that using "his" would have an even bigger impact.

I don't think this is what I originally read, but it explains the issue

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/job-adverts-language-deter-women-applications-men-gender-employment-a8395106.html

HikingforScenery · 19/09/2021 16:53

I can’t see how this is not an issue!
This should not be happening.

Original poster
badjobad · 19/09/2021 16:55

Yes so easy to have put ‘the ideal candidate should be great at time management’

OP posts:
ftw163532 · 19/09/2021 16:57

If this surprises you "in 2021" then you haven't been paying attention to the huge structural sexism in our society.

ftw163532 · 19/09/2021 17:02

I'm not saying I think it's ok. I'm saying the complacency that goes hand in hand with the mindset that "it's 2021 so the patriarchy must have magically disassembled itself" is precisely why this shit is still happening.

"In 2021..." is a lazy ineffectual argument. So what that it's 2021? What special powers does the year 2021 have that 1953 or 1812 or 1557 did not have?

Original poster
badjobad · 19/09/2021 17:06

Of course sexism is alive and present - what I’m suprised about is the lack of care/being so blatant

OP posts:
PassTheDutchyUpYrLeftBackside · 19/09/2021 17:06

You're right to highlight it, OP.

This kind of lazy sexism needs to be pointed out wherever it's seen.

LoveFall · 19/09/2021 17:09

Having been involved in drafting this sort of thing, the "his" literally jumped off the page at me. No excuse.

In fact, it would make me think twice about applying. It shows sloppy management.

WestendVBroadway · 19/09/2021 17:09

Oh for goodness sake, it is clearly just a typo. The rest of the advert states 'This person '!

WestendVBroadway · 19/09/2021 17:12

@LoveFall

Having been involved in drafting this sort of thing, the "his" literally jumped off the page at me. No excuse.

In fact, it would make me think twice about applying. It shows sloppy management.

Just to add, I had to read both pages 3 times to actually see any gender specified. Hardly 'jumped off the page.'
FuckingFlumps · 19/09/2021 17:19

@WestendVBroadway

Oh for goodness sake, it is clearly just a typo. The rest of the advert states 'This person '!
It cannot be a typo as then the sentence wouldn't make any sense. Confused It would have made much more sense to write great at managing time and miss out the word his altogether.

I agree it would initially stop me applying but then I'd think that would probably be what they were hoping for so I'd apply anyway to spite them.

FrauleinF · 19/09/2021 17:25

That would have immediately jumped out at and irked me too, OP.

Funny how the phrase "managing her time" etc seemimgly never ever gets written by mistake on such things.

annacondom · 19/09/2021 17:26

YANBU. They could've gone with the other suggestion or used the 'singular they', which is pretty universal these days.

WestendVBroadway · 19/09/2021 17:28

^^ I meant a typo as in 'They were probably meant to write 'manage their time'. However the person writing the advert obviously is a Mumsnetter, and we all now how much MN hates the pronoun THEIR, so they accidentally defaulted back to his lest they offend readers.