How Much More Diverse Can The Bbc Become?

[anotheoldgit]

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/982116/bbc-transgender-staff-survey-lesbian-gay-bisexual-lgbt-diversity-uk-news

/// Following the findings, the BBC’s Director of Diversity Tunde Ogungbesan has launched a major reform to make the Corporation more “trans-friendly”. ///

/// He also revealed that 11 percent of BBC employees were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), but said he still did not consider the Corporation to be diverse enough. ///

[jackthehat]

Lordy, there's lots of thrashing about on this thread, throwing things into the bathwater, in this case, to try and ramp up the 'outrage' isn't there?

Providing the people employed by the BBC fulfill the demands of their employment contracts, what on earth does their personal/private lives have to do with anything?

[-Talbot-]

It clearly matters to the BBC, Jack.

[jackthehat]

Providing they are the best candidate I don't think there is any cause for alarm, Talbot.

And I'm not sure why AOG thinks it makes such a huge difference to the programmes he watches...

[youngmafbog]

My only gripe is that they are paying for a director of diversity - when they clearly dont need one.

Personally I'd like to see the back of the BBC, but not for this reason.

[mushroom25]

//Providing they are the best candidate I don't think there is any cause for alarm, Talbot. //

as it should be. but the BBC has a "head of diversity" whose role is to manage the BBC's employee demographic, and is probably going to have a performance-related element of their salary based on how diverse the workforce is. of course mr ogungbesan will say the BBC isn't diverse enough, it's in his interest to ensure more diversity. and from there develops the temptation to employ someone whose presence will boost your salary over the best candidate for the job.

[-Talbot-]

jackthehat
Providing they are the best candidate I don't think there is any cause for alarm, Talbot.


With statements like this

//Mr Ogungbesan said the BBC wants eight percent of its staff to be from the LGBT community by 2020.//

Are the BBC really looking for the best candidates?

Serious question...do they ask job applicants about their sexuality?

[Mamyalynne]

Having been left stunned by just how diverse their workforce is according to the newspaper headline, maybe at the very least reducing the Head of Diversity to a part time or occasional consulting role would be the way to go.

It seems that with or without a drive, diversity is happening naturally and that can only be good.

[andres]

I am sick to death of the word 'Diversity' . I used to watch programmes for enjoyment without giving a second thought as to whether the actors were LGBT or disabled or black ,brown, yellow, red . Now I feel as though we are being compelled to accept all the above 'diversities'. Every advert seems to have the obligatory mixed race family or coloured people . Days gone by you were never asked your sexuality in a job interview ,in fact your sexuality was a private matter. Nowadays it seems to be a priority to be shouted out from the rooftops.
It should be the right person for the job!

[jackthehat]

There is always the suspicion (by some) that there will be an 'agenda' which will be followed, regardless, and that more suitable candidates will be overlooked in order to fill 'supposed' quotas.

Asking about someone's sexuality is a no-no.......

[Zacs-Master]

Then how do they know?

[-Talbot-]

How are they going to make sure that by 2020 8% of staff will be from the LGBT community?

[jackthehat]

At interview, it is a no-no....

Once hired, however, the candidate may be quite open about their domestic arrangements.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - // No, shock news the BBC uses licence payers money to employ a 'Director of Diversity'. //

That's not a shock, it's not a secret, it's openly known, I already knew about it.

[Zacs-Master]

Not much good after they’ve been hired in respect of achieving targets, so same question as Talbot......

[cassa333]

In answer to ago@ 14.25

Who knows what people are like until they show their true colours. In the cases you mention it is more about continued employment rather than initial employment.

[jackthehat]

I suppose that the BBC will continue to hire people and, in-keeping with some already enacted policies will ask questions of their staff, to ensure that the levels agreed are being worked towards.....

[Zacs-Master]

That makes no sense at all. To state they are aiming for a specific percentage can’t just be left to chance.

[jackthehat]

LoL....

As I'm not a spokesperson for, nor employed, by the BBC I am doing just what most people do and making assumptions.....

[Zacs-Master]

Fair enough. Assumptions are the lifeblood of AB, after all ;-)

[andy-hughes]

Diversity?

Isn't that the dance troupe that throw shapes on Simon Cowell's shindigs?