Affirmative action hurt my chances of getting a job promotion. Do you think diversity is more important than qualifications?

[Anonymous]

There was a new promotion being offered and everyone knew I was more than qualified to receive it. When it came time, I was brought in private and told I couldn’t be hired because the position had 80% white men and the other were females and males of different backgrounds so it was already too white.

It was much more complicated than this and it wasn’t directly told to me that the reason I didn’t get promoted was because I was white but it was implied and carefully said so I wouldn’t be able to sue. The person that got promoted was not as qualified as me and wasn’t even as hard working as me nor has he been with the company for as long as me. What are your opinions on this matter?

80% white male is not diverse enough. Your job made the right decision to not make the problem worse.

This was wrong. It shouldn’t matter your race as long as you are qualified and deserve the position.

[ZXCwWRQWz]

Used to teach CompSci 101 & 102 at my uni in NC. We always wanted to "diversify" our students. In particular, there was a huge demand for females with different anatomy from all the neckbeards. I got two of those in my class after all our efforts. One was crap. She couldn't understand and she couldn't ask what she failed to understand. The other wasn't American and from Poland and excellent and became one of my top students. But she switched to a business major after my courses.

[TroyDT2]

If in the United States, that is a clear violation of Title VII of the CRA 1964.

https://www.justice.gov/crt/laws-enforced-employment-litigation-section#:~:text=Title%20VII%20of%20the%20Civil%20Rights%20Act%20of%201964%20(Title,and%20gender%20identity)%20or%20religion.

[Aerissa_Jade]

Definitely discrimination based on your race.

I will say my company at one time did something similar to a person BUT while they didn't give them the position, they gave them the pay raise and put them on the back burner for that position next time it came open.

Sort of like, your both qualified, but this one fits affirmative action, this one doesn't so were picking the person who helps with the affirmative action but we'll also give the other the raise and keep them on retainer.

Eventually the first person left and the other slide into the position... no interviews needed.

Too bad you didn't record that conversation, secretly.

[WonderBell99]

Nope, I strongly believe that people should be hired/promoted solely based on merit. I would much rather care about their qualifications than their race or ethnic background.

What does their background have ANYTHING to do with how much of a good worker they are? If I cared about my company, I’d make sure I hire only the best of best… which does not include me caring about my employees’ race. Then again, I do not know much about the laws where you live. The country I’m from has one majority race, so ethnicity or racial background is not a determinant while hiring.

[Massageman]

I was told point blank to my (white male) face, "If you were a black female, I could place you in a job right now". Company didn't a crap about my considerable quals- this was about 38-39 years ago, though. Qualifications should prevail.

[exitseven]

I managed the IT department at a college. I had to hire a new technician and I was told that if there was a minority candidate that had the qualifications that I had to hire them. It didn't matter if there were better candidates.

[jshm2]

You are overthinking it, dumbass. You were not a fit for the job. The reason is irrelevant.