I have been with Ford for 30+ years. Years ago, nepotism and "the old boys club" resulted in unqualified people being hired or promoted. Without question, the process was most unfair to diversity candidates. Lately, though, Ford has begun forcing diversity candidates into positions that they are grossly unqualified for in an attempt to right the wrongs of the past. The situation in the Chicago area plants seemed to be the impetus for the initiative and quotas are back in full force. I have seen NUMEROUS occasions where highly qualified people have been passed over so that unqualified diversity candidates could be advanced. While it is great to have a diverse workforce at all levels, the company suffers when the most skilled people are not in critical positions.
9 replies (most recent on top)
I agree with the OP but that happens only once out of 10 times. And 8 out of 10 times the better candidate gets passed because they are diverse. And the remaining 1 time it happens fairly.
I'm my area it was the LL4 looking out for his friends. This was very obvious based on who was kept and who got let go.
Anyone that had reported directly to the LL4 and that he liked got spared. Anyone that had never reported to the LL4 or wasn't a favored direct report for cut. It really was that obvious.
I am considered a diversity hire for my gender. But hands down would rather be evaluated on my technical merits than my biological makeup. I don’t put up with favoritism or discrimination and let the work speak for itself.
@1oeb, because people are being rude to one another and personal insults are not allowed here.
Why were so many comments censored on this post?
Completely agree with the OP. But at the end of the day, it’s a choice that is being made by the company. If you want to be average, then you make average personnel decisions which are not based on qualifications (which the enterprise continues to do). I’ve seen multiple diversity hires who are completely unqualified, as recent as a mind blowing promotion to a LL4 who was put into a position she simply couldn’t handle. She’s was since moved to a “no one would take” assignment out of the country within 12 months.
Diversity is great when it happens at a grass roots level. Ford, however, has been trying to "catch up" by promoting unqualified diversity candidates into senior level roles that they aren't qualified for while passing over other (non diverse) but qualified candidates. As a female, I would be embarrassed and ashamed to be promoted into a role that I felt unqualified for. FMC needs to start hiring diversity candidates upon graduation and nurturing them to ensure that they are prepared for the senior level roles once they get there.
Sorry
White skin alone doesnt mean qualified.
@OP+1imfxMEs
"While it is great to have a diverse workforce at all levels, the company suffers when the most skilled people are not in critical positions."
Except consulting firms and DEI trainers continue to tell us that there is value alone in the fact that you have a diverse leadership team.
I think I said that correctly. I apologize if I got that wrong.