BBC staff told not to hire candidates who are ‘dismissive’ of diversity

Jan 30, 2024 by Jill

by Steven Edgington, Telegraph:

Critics believe guidelines act as mechanism to maintain ‘groupthink’ and promote controversial ideas.

BBC staff are being told not to hire candidates who are “dismissive” of diversity and inclusion, The Telegraph can disclose.

A recruitment policy document says applicants should be asked to “explain what diversity and inclusion means to you and, should you be successful, what opportunities do you see for you to promote, celebrate or encourage diversity and inclusion in your role?”

The guidelines, used in a major non-editorial department of the BBC, tell recruiters: “Don’t hire [candidates who are] unsuited to the organisation” if they are “dismissive or derisory of diversity and inclusion and surrounding topics”.

Managers are also directed not to offer jobs to candidates who show a “lack of interest in learning more where no evidence of education and understanding of diversity and inclusion was given”.

Critics have claimed that diversity and inclusion can be a way for organisations to promote controversial ideas.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph revealed that ministers were planning a crackdown on civil servants “using their jobs as a vehicle for political activism” in relation to diversity and inclusion initiatives.

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