Culture Failure: University of Waterloo Recruitment Exclusion

Three weeks ago I posted my thoughts on the wit and humour Red Balloon utilized in their strategy to provide an alternative recruiting approach to current DEI policies adopted by businesses. While I think their approach was on point, many believed this was an over reaction to the problem as “it could not really be that bad." 

The video report from Tamara Ugolini clearly demonstrates that it is.

Recently, The University of Waterloo created an online job posting that openly restricts applications based on gender identity and racial identity. This exclusionary practice contradicts principles of equal opportunity and fairness, as it targets candidates based on race and gender rather than qualifications and merit. Such practices undermine the integrity of hiring processes and perpetuate division. 

More importantly, it is a fundamental violation of human rights that results in inequality.

Unfortunately, DEI initiatives have firmly embedded their deceptive discrimination practices in many Canadian HR departments and it will take integrity to admit this was a mistake and courage to reintroduce Meritocracy, Competence and Character as fundamental principles of recruitment.

Written by Gary Anderson

Rebel strategist and founder of Endeveren Consulting Inc.