EMPLOYERS STRUGGLE TO UNTANGLE INTERVIEW RED TAPE

INTERVIEWGOLD For Employers have stated this week that employers in the UK are now going to great lengths to avoid asking the wrong questions in the interview room, but failing to ask the right ones.

As Sir Alan Sugar found out in the 2007 series of The Apprentice, grilling a female candidate about how she planned to juggle her family with work commitments could breach sex discrimination laws.

Now, employers are so concerned about the legal pitfalls that they are failing to ask the right questions in interviews.

"Employers are rightly concerned about the questions they ask in the interview and we provide a solution which gives them the confidence and knowledge to recruit the best person and avoid the risk of legal action." says Joe McDermott, CEO of InterviewGold for Employers.

Employers are not allowed to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, beliefs, disability, gender, race, religion or sexuality. Asking how old an applicant is could be seen as discrimination.

"Interview skills training is essential for everyone involved in recruitment and what's really worrying is that an alarming number of company bosses have not had any formal training in how to carry out an interview or what questions to ask." says McDermott.

The risk is they end up recruiting the wrong person, says McDermott, or worse still, they might face legal action.

All of these pitfalls can be easily avoided with the right knowledge. At a fraction of the cost of a traditional, out-of-the-office course, this online services mean that employers can save money and avoid potential lawsuits.

But are we now affecting business by putting unnecessary blocks in the way of employers and prospective employees?

Have you had problems when you applied for a job, or have you ever had problems as a result of this law...?

Let us know via email to news24@southportreporter.com.

RUN IN LIVERPOOL RACE TO HELP FUND CURE

THE Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is appealing to local readers to register now to run on its behalf in the 2009 Liverpool Half Marathon.

There is an entry fee of £26, and participants who excel at fundraising will be rewarded with some great sportswear. In addition, whoever raises the most sponsorship for the charity can choose a Dirk Kuyt Liverpool training top or a signed Everton football.

Each participant running for the charity will also receive a top quality running vest to show their support for the charity on race day.

Regional Fundraising Manager, Charles Horton, told us that:- "We are urging local people to raise sponsorship for the Liverpool Half Marathon to help us in the fight against muscle disease. Contact me today for an entry form or for sponsorship forms if you have already entered."

An estimated 7,000 people in the North West are directly affected by one of more than 60 forms of muscle disease, which result in the progressive breakdown of muscles, leading to varying degrees of disability - some forms severely reduce life expectancy. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign funds internationally acclaimed medical research to improve treatments and runs a Care Service in the UK, providing practical advice and emotional support for families, whilst also vigorously campaigning for improved services.

The ace takes place on Sunday, 29 March 2009. To run in the race to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, call the Regional Office on 01244 403012 or email them.

New Art Shop Opens In Southport!

A new art shop has opened on Eastbank Street in Southport.  The shop is a family run business and one of a chain run by a Southport family.  

Find out more next week...