At present I am studying a business ethics course and part of our assignment is to comment on a blog in relation to a topic outlined in our course material. The story from The Press on 08/01/2013, in regards to “Trying to find staff ‘a nightmare’” is an interesting topic to which I would like to comment on.

This article is a poor excuse for reporting, as it is clearly a tirade from a disgruntled employer, who discriminates based on appearance, which encourages businesses to seek employees from overseas, and it in no way supports the job market of NZ or the encouragement for the younger generation of our society.

Hiring an employee is a monumental task management must face to gain the best candidate for the job. However, there are a proportion of NZ job seekers that have been taught through the generations that the benefit or Welfare system is there for people to abuse, to freeload from whenever possible, as the taxpayer foots the bill. But in saying that, the interview process and remuneration packages offered for certain jobs are a joke and businesses wonder why Kiwis are rushing to get off this Island. The people of this fine country are big on individuality, independence and showmanship which include anything from Tattoo’s, Piercing’s and the like. Though we are then penalised for our eccentricities and categorised as unwilling or misrepresented as gang affiliates or just a shady character. It can also be assumed that most people (male or female) don’t have access or own a business suit to attend an interview, or have access to a neat pair of shoes. However there are now organisations such as Dress for Success and Dress to impress that are available, where one can obtain a donated suit for male and female job seekers in this economically difficult time, to help you get that job from would be employers. Mental preparation is sometimes the key to success and if one believes that mopping a floor or washing dishes is degrading to a person’s self-esteem, then no amount of money would probably entice them.

Discrimination based on personal or physical appearance is a violation in many states of the US (Forbes, 2012), under s21,1(k) of the Human Rights Act 1993, it is also illegal to discriminate against those that are a recipient of a benefit, and yet this woman clearly shows an attitude of disgust towards applicants of such a decree. I don’t believe in the use of Affirmative Action Policies, as it gives preferential treatment to a certain group of people, disadvantaging others in the pursuit of employment. In countries such as the USA or South Africa it would be a common place policy. But how effective or efficient is this type of practice? I believe it further divides the people of this world, categorising people like herds of cattle, and eventually affects the whole economic environment if all businesses used this approach. It appears to be another form of discrimination based on ethnicity, but is tied up in a little white bow and gives the illusion of equality for applicants. However here in NZ I would fear that it would disadvantage everyone. Our diversity has grown so much over the decades on such a small Island, that both Maori’s and Europeans are now the minority fighting for the right to be hired over, Indians and those of Asian descent.

Labour laws in NZ, have now changed in that the minimum wage is $13.50 an hour (Department of Labour, 2012); after taxes, ACC levies, Student Loan deductions, Super deductions etc, there’s still rent, food, utilities etc; how is offering a full time job at $14 an hour going to pay for the necessities of life? There is no wonder that our young people of society have flocked to the Welfare system, as you get paid to do nothing. Making a profit is not all a business should be about. Nevertheless that is all a business owner generally considers, so why does an applicant get penalised for wanting exactly the same thing as an employer? Many jobs are out there and not just in Christchurch, but people are labelled as selfish, picky or lazy unenthusiastic bums when it comes to them not applying for these jobs. I know first-hand, as I have my cousin’s girlfriend living with us. She’s on the benefit. She doesn’t pay me any board. I can’t see her actively looking for jobs but I know she wants one. I see many jobs in the paper and online, and yet she doesn’t apply for them. So what is that mentality? McPherson takes it to the next level and makes it public. As an employer she believes that hiring from overseas will solve all her problems, but I wonder what type of offer would be made to secure that applicant. The remuneration package that goes out to overseas prospectors is likely to consist of the same offer she made to the NZ Public or would she raise the bar and include other benefits and increase the hourly rate.

McPherson’s business ethics in relation to hiring employees appears to be lacking. She seems to have a “preference” of what a correct candidate would look like and act. Yet she feels it is her duty to announce to the public the shortcomings of others. Exposing herself as an employer with discriminatory tendencies; prone to ridicule and bullying tactics of others within the workplace and issues with independent and innovative thinking. She should try to have consideration for people of all walks of life, as she herself notes that she limits the opportunities for her business. If she could look beyond the exterior and not judge inappropriately she may find and hire an outstanding candidate for the job.

Thank you

You and a few others have NO bloody idea about what is really going on at WINZ and the job market. You are just looking for excuses to rubbish some downtrodden, like the Nazis did with the gypsies, queers and jews of course.

You better inform yourself or feel bloody ashamed!

So if the job market is so tough that you can turn up to a job interview tell the employer that you plan on keeping your toungue ring in avoid mopping floors and do it all in your PJs and still get a job somwhere for enough pay to keep you happy.. well it isn’t your problem if employers are going out of business because they are offended by that.

It could be these people are not getting employment anywhere in which case there is a issue for WINZ but if they are , after a reasonable search time, finding jobs… then it is the employer who we should be making fun of.

It is expected that people make at least 20 applications per week, and reports and feed-back are asked for by case managers.

You’re dreaming.

They might say that, but in reality you’d be luck to find someone who’s done a fraction of that.

If National wanted, they could halve dole queues overnight by putting simple tests on people to prove they were actually prepared to work. But the utterly pathetic requirement to have people reapply for the dole annually (gee, you’ve already done it once, how hard can it be?) is apparently a gross invasion of human rights on par with WWII.

Seems to be there should be a citizens initiated referendum!

There is no information saying the jobs are full-time, part-time, casual or seasonal.

McPerson is making very critical comments and is quoted saying things about certain applicants, whom she considers unfit to do the job, unprepared and in some cases bluntly unwilling to work.

In all honesty, I find this article a bit bizarre. Surely, it is better to work and earn a living than having to put up with the these days draconian treatment WINZ staffers dish out to unemployed. It is expected that people make at least 20 applications per week, and reports and feed-back are asked for by case managers. I do not rule out that a fair number of unemployed are “unemployable”, as due to the not at all easy life one has to live while on a benefit (being honest), only the truly hopeless, least skilled and desperate tend to end up with WINZ for longer periods.

Who in their right mind wants to live off just over $ 200 a week, with perhaps a little accom supplement top up, and struggle to survive on the dole in now rather expensive Christchurch?

I acknowledge there are some attitudal problems with certain school-leavers and those under 25 or so, but I doubt that there is such a widespread problem with beneficiaries not wanting to work as this article and the employer mentioned try to portray.

Even in good times bakery operators can have diffuculty finding staff, as even work ready people may find it difficult starting work at 4 am or so in the morning, which is part of what such a job entails.

And polytech graduates may well know, that it is easy to get a better job in Christchurch now, than work in low paid retail. Perhaps McPherson is locally also well known to be a kind of employer one rather would not wish to work for? So all the prejudicial bene bashers do perhaps do a bit of reality check here.

All it takes is a phone call – “WINZ? Mr Jones here. You referred Mr Plonker to me and he showed up in pyjama-pants and smoking a joint.”

That is ALL that is needed, and if WINZ aren’t doing this then they are FUCKING INSANE.

Pity those who’ve grown up expecting the state to be there from cradle to grave, methinks that particular edifice is going to evaporate sooner rather than later.

Nobody will starve or die of thirst or warlords though

The jobs McPherson is advertising all pay $14 an hour or more, with the bakery job starting at $20 an hour.

pq
What was your pay rate offering Andretti, and terms of employment.