Transport & General Workers Union: Recruitment & Selection

The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) appointed Equality Works as its recruitment and selection consultant to devise a new more effective hiring process.

We started by training the union’s senior management team and agreed a revised recruitment and selection process with them. This involved looking at every stage of the hiring process. For example, we reviewed and redesigned the application form to ensure that it reflected the selection criteria, was clear and transparent. We also wanted to make sure that it did not disadvantage those with less experience of formal recruitment procedures.

Similarly, we analysed and re-designed the guidance to candidates, which supports candidates in providing the evidence that is needed to complete an application. A key element in this piece of work was the focus on transferable skills, highlighted in the application form and guidance notes.

After observing all the stages involved in recruitment - from declaring a vacancy through to induction -  we developed a training programme for those involved in the process. The programme included providing training courses for selectors, and included very life like practice interviews. They also received constructive feedback on putting their skills into practice as well as developing guidelines to support them through the process, highlighting key issues such as person specifications, short listing, personal knowledge of candidates.

We then observed all selection activities over the course of a year, ensuring due process, giving advice when requested, and giving feedback to panels. Refresher training was put in place for selectors to pick up issues where they had signalled a need for further support.

We have since advised and consulted the union on a range of issues, such as:

• Selection criteria
• Record keeping
• Chairing short listing and selection committees
• Positive Action
• Preparing candidates
• Employment Tribunals

In order to ensure that those responsible for selecting are comfortable and confident in their role, we proposed a comprehensive approach to development, which involved training and ongoing evaluation.