Aibu? DS should talk about his party politics activities in interviews?

[Theworried]

DS is at uni and applying for internships etc. in the field of finance. A lot of these interviews ask typical skill or behaviour questions- e.g. tell me a time when you have shown teamwork etc.
DS is an active member of the young conservatives and has done a lot of activities in his uni and in our local young conservative group- e.g. take an active role in meetings, canvassing support amongst young people etc.
He thinks that he should be able to use these examples in job interviews as they highlight his skills and is a big part of his life, but DH thinks he should shy away from it as it is do with party politics and is quite a divisive topic in society.
I think that DH is worrying unnecessarily and interviews would not look down upon it as he is developing skills through this activity.

I really am shocked by the responses on here implying your politics need to be 'okay' for you to be allowed to exchange your labour for money.

He’s going for an internship I doubt very much that any money’s involved.

Are you saying that because you don't want the Baby Tory Boy to get the job?

Corruption and incompetence in the Tory party aside, aren't the Young Conservatives notoriously oddballs?

Unfortunately, as evidenced here, the intolerant brigade will try to ignore that to suit their political bias

@Artycrafts , it’s not political bias, it’s moral bias. We have a corrupt and immoral government. Even senior Church leaders are speaking out. Are they the ‘intolerant brigade’ too?

My goodness, and you're admitting that on social media. How unprofessional. You must carry out uour role with zero objectivity.

Amazing how the issue of morality is always ignored when it comes to the war on Iraq and the unnecessary ensuing deaths.

Same. I wouldn't hire your ds to sweep the floor tbh.

Amazing how the issue of morality is always ignored when it comes to the war on Iraq and the unnecessary ensuing deaths.

That is fantastic whataboutery, @Artycrafts.We’re discussing the current government, not a previous one. However, I’m glad to see you agree with my point about the moral grounds for opposing political parties, and yes, I would make the same moral judgment on Iraq.

And this thread demonstrates perfectly why I wouldn't knowingly recruit anyone who is actively involved in politics 😂

To be fair, I'm more concerned that a parent has admitted their son is a young Conservative

I'd have kept that VERY quiet

The thread was NOT about the current government; it was hijacked into being one. However, I'm glad the OP managed to takeaway some great advice from the more reasoned posts.

People have all kinds of views when hiring, this thread shows how far people take it

The law tries to mitigate some but can’t do it all

It’s unlikely the more extreme views are from anyone recruiting but still, hopefully op got some decent advice on amongst the usual

@Artycrafts

The thread was NOT about the current government; it was hijacked into being one.

Eh? It's about whether or not OP's son should mention in interviews that he's an active campaigner for the young conservatives. People have responded explaining how they would react as an employer to this information and those reactions are often based on the values of the party he's an active supporter of and campaigner for. It's absolutely about the current government.

Same!! I'd be so ashamed if either of my two 'zedders' (love that') came out as Tories!! I don't think I'd ever recover from the betrayal to be honest.

OP I think this thread shows exactly why it's best for people to keep politics out of the workplace most of the time.

Your son might be a raging ERG, Boris-loving, women-rights hating, immigrant loathing, state service hating individualists who thinks the solution to poverty is not buying a flat screen telly, or he might be a middle of the road nice young chap with centre right views, but in an interview people will make judgements based on what they think a Young Conservative is.
He's not going to get into a discussion about ideology in an interview, and rightly so because it's irrelevant, and any mention of political parties leaves him open to unfair judgement.

I agree

Mention the activity not the party. If anyone asks the party (they shouldn't) he can say he'd rather not say because he doesn't want to invalidate the interview process.
All interviewees are supposed to be asked the same questions and yy you can ask supplementary questions but asking only one candidate about political allegiance would not be appropriate.

This is good advice

The thread was NOT about the current government; it was hijacked into being one.

@monsteramunch has answered this very satisfactorily. But yet again, @Artycrafts, you have swerved the point. First you complain about political bias, then when it's pointed out that the objections are on moral grounds as much as political ones, you bring Iraq into it, then when it's pointed out we're discussing the current political situation you say that we're not – when clearly, since OP's son is an activist now, we are. If anyone is hijacking the thread, it's you.

The war that Michael Howard, Conservative leader at the time said he would have also taken us into.

https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/howard-under-fire-over-iraq-7247839.html

In finance it will be good. The skills he can demonstrate are what an employer will look for. I'd tell DH to butt out tbh. It's your son's call not DH's.

I once interviewed someone who used his experience as a Tory councillor as examples for a couple of the questions we asked him. This prompted me to do a bit of googling and I came across some news reports of his dodgy behaviour during his time in politics. He didn't get the job. My field of work is generally full of lefties but we do get the odd Tory - we wouldn't discount anyone for their politics as long as they are good at their job and behave reasonably.

Politics doesn’t have a place in the workplace. It’s too divisive. I’m coaching my friend’s recent graduate son at the moment, as he’s entirely clueless about preparing for interviews. He’s also an ardent socialist and genuinely didn’t understand that that could be off putting in certain professional circles.

https://www.harpermacleod.co.uk/insights/political-beliefs-and-the-equality-act-2010/#:~:text=As%20employers%20will%20be%20aware,or%20lack%20of%20such%20beliefs
Political affiliation may not always be covered by the equalities act.

In my workplace, and everywhere I’ve worked in the past 15 years this would be seen as a positive, and we are a left leaning organisation.

It’s the fact someone of that age is committed and aware of current affairs. Canvassing is a thankless job and anyone that can stick at it demonstrates a number of positive skills including resilience and communication.

That said he would of course be saying I’m active in local politics, which includes x, y and Z activities and highlight relevant skills. He absolutely does not have to name the party. It is worth noting though if he is involved in politics and he gets a job somewhere being a member of a particular political party is frowned upon then it’s probably not the organisation for him anyway. In my organisation a variety of views are held and people discuss them in respectful ways - it also helps to keep the organisation grounded and prevents us becoming an echo chamber.