When somebody interviews for a job at Queerty, it’s kind of a given that everyone is a homogay of some sort around these parts. But when somebody interviews at the Washington D.C. marketing and communications firm OmniStudio Inc., it’s less clear that the boss is a ghey! Should potential employers reveal their homosessuality to potential hires?
NO STUPIDS, IT’S NOT RELEVANT, say some employers who think sexuality disclosure has no place in the workplace.
“If it’s not relevant, then it shouldn’t be brought out in an interview,” says Eileen Kessler, who is gay and the owner of OmniStudio Inc., a marketing-communications firm in Washington, D.C.
YES OF COURSE, say some bosses who don’t want to deal with employees running for the door if they find out the person signing the paychecks goes to bed at night with a member of the same sex.
Paul Orefice, a partner and creative director at The Watsons LLC, a New York-based ad agency, says he recently told a candidate for a production-manager position that if hired, he’d be working among an all-gay staff. “Normally it wouldn’t matter,” says Mr. Orefice. “Work is not a place where you’re talking about your sex life. However, because we are eight gay people and sometimes we talk about things that happen to be gay related, I just felt compelled to tell him.” Mr. Orefice says he didn’t know for certain if the candidate was straight when he brought up the subject, but he turned out to be correct—the candidate “would’ve been the odd man out,” he says. “As much as I wanted to find out if he was talented, I also wanted to find out how much of a non-issue it was going to be with him.” The man accepted the job.
Hrmm, ok. It’s only fair, then, that straight employers, or companies that knowingly run very heterosexual workplaces, disclose to potential hires that, should they be gay, they’ll be the odd man out and possibly have to hear disparaging remarks about women! Also, alert white applicants if there might be any blacks roaming the cubicles!
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Sound ridiculous? Exactly.
[WSJ]
NickC
I find it works best just to have a large photo of myself in drag hanging directly behind me during the interview.
Mike L.
I don’t think it’s that ridiculous. A new hire needs training and time taken away from other things so he or she will be prepared for the job then he or she finds out that the boss is a mo and takes off then the company will have lost money and time in training the homophobe.
Jerr Bear
Well. Yes, actually, it matters on a case by case basis. If they will be working closely with someone who is gay and they aren’t comfortable, they aren’t going to be working to their highest caliber.
If the employee will have the opportunity to adjust (and can adjust and isn’t a bigot) then it won’t matter.
The truth is, coming out at work, from management or staff perspectives, is still an iffy thing to do. 🙁
Paul
A couple of years ago I went to a company in Brooklyn that’s owned and operated by Orthodox Jews. During the interview process, it was never explicitly mentioned, but, when talking about paid holidays, they did say that the office was closed on the Jewish High Holy Days, so I would’ve been a real dope not to have made the connection. Perhaps a few well-placed items such as a rainbow flag, pictures of the interviewer with his/her Significant Other behind the desk, or plaques commending the firm on their pro-gay activites would accomplish the same thing, and let potential applicants know what type of firm it is.
Cam
Well, if the person is an absolute homophobe, you would save time from having to fire them for breaking H.R. rules later on when they try to preach to the gay people in the office.
McShane
It would sure be nice if heterosexual firms advertised that they allowed workplace descrimination, especially if it’s underhanded. It might be considererate to let people know if they were going into a gay environment to tell them., ibn casee that would be bothersome.
Somepeople would sure like to believe that we are mainstreamed, but we’re not at least in many cases despite the myth.
terrwill
@Paul: Pretty sure if the Orthodox Jews found out you were a Gay, you would have pretty much every day off from the day they found out……….. : p
Hyhybt
As I see it, from a practical standpoint *anything* a new employee will find out anyway shortly after they’re hired that might cause them to quit, you might as well tell them up front. Saves everybody time and trouble.
EdWoody
Orifice? Seriously, that’s his name?
On topic, I always bring my sexuality up in job interviews, because people always ask me “How did you end up living here?” to which I reply, “I moved because my boyfriend got transferred with his job.”
William Day
If you want to share, share. If you don’t, don’t. It’s that damn simple. Why is it even a debate?
Jimbo
I recently interviewed for a job, and one of the questions directly put to me was do you have a problem with a woman being being your boss. I was a bit taken aback, but since I recently moved from a large urban center to Lehigh Valley area in PA, I guess some of the men up here may not take well to a female boss. At previous interviews I have had people ask me if I would have a problem with a primarily black clientele (my then BF was from Trinidad, so ummm NO), I was asked by one burned out restaurant manager at the Jersey Shore if was afraid of bleach blonde, Range Rover driving Size Zero’s ( when they get that hungry look in their eyes, ummm YES)
When I had my own company I let it be known that we didn’t discriminate at all, and that I had a zero tolerance policy for bigotry, bullying, or bullshit. It worked well me, and only one young kid had an issue with me being gay, but he was 19 and stupid, and only worked for me for one summer as a lawn mower.
Blahblah
@William Day: It’s a “debate” because many people like to consult outside perspectives before making decisions, rather than just going with what feels right. It makes for a better world environment when people consider the ideas and opinions of all perspectives.