Screw Up A Few, Win A Few
A Touch of Nokoko by Kofi Akumanyi
Mrs Evans, according to the Guardian newspaper report, brought the case after a note with the words "good screw" written by the North-West Gas domestic sales Manager, Mr Tom Howarth, while interviewing women candidates, was found in the interview room. Mrs Evans, who had been acting manager at the showroom for 18 months while her boss was ill, was among three women applicants for the job which went to a man.
… People never cease to amaze me. In fact it appears as if there are quite a few human ostriches who are fast becoming museum pieces. How then can one explain the case of Mrs Evans vrs. North West Gas?
One would have thought that in this modern day and age when the issue of sex discrimination has been brought out in the open, discussed and legislated on (anybody remember International Women's Year?) embar- rassing cases like Mrs Evans are things of the past or are they all window dressing to satisfy the agitators for equal rights?
I mean, who would expect that in a country with a lady at the head of government, another at the top of the Royal club and women firmly camped at the Greenham Common missile base speaking up boldly and daily risking jail sentences, anybody in his right mind would dare discriminate against women and incur their eternal wrath?
But then, the point I suppose, needs emphasising that traditions die hard; in societies where male dominance has been the rule or accepted practice for centuries, it would take some doing for male chauvinists to change their attitudes towards women who venture into their hitherto exclusive territories.
Mrs Evans' case is definitely not unique. Let's see what probably may happen at a similar interview.
"Please sit down Mrs Duncan and relax. These gentlemen with me here today are ready to help assess you for the position you have applied... You have nothing to worry about so long as you follow the rules... you know what I mean?" Mr Cole, the chairman opens the interview.
"Thank you very much Sir, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about," she says, feeling four pairs of piercing eyes boring through her blouse.
"What would you say are your best assets for the job?"
"My best assets, Sir?... Well, I'd mention my long experience as a manager, my educational qualifications and my public relations capabilities," enumerates Mrs Duncan.
"Are these all the assets you think you've got?"
"I don't understand what you mean, Sir,"
"Surely, you must count your physical assets as vital to your existence and your prospects in the company."
"Indeed, sir, I strongly object to the sexist approach to this interview," Mrs Duncan remonstrates and the four gentlemen roar with laughter.
"Anyway, you're the acting manager of our computer sales section in the industrial area of town, according to this fact sheet in front of me."
"Yes sir, I am and I have been acting for the past two years and the fact sheet should also reveal that since I had been in charge, sales have doubled", she informs the panel.
"That's right, Mrs Duncan, would you please stand up and take a walk around the room" suggests one of the panellists who scribbles something on a piece of paper and passes it on to the next man.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Please don't be offended, we're considering you for another important And I post which, we believe, you should fit in very well."
"Sir, I think I'm doing well where I am at the moment."
"We think you'll do better at the If I am as I appear to be... furniture department where sales are flagging. You have a strong personality and we think you would do the department a world of good."
"With all due deference, I think I'm being discriminated against because I'm a woman." countered Mrs Duncan.
"This isn't true, we are only trying to give you a chance to grow with the company."
"Why must I be cut off whenever I've grown with one department? Why? Are you telling me that I'm not good enough for where I am? Am I not?" she cries.
"Please Mrs Duncan, don't shout. You know, we're a closely knit we give equal company and opportunity to all our employees."
The conduct of this interview has revealed otherwise," says Mrs Duncan "I have no intention of accepting any other post than the manager of the Computer Department, because I am more than qualified for it. I'll see my lawyers if I don't get a positive response from you."
As the interview ends and the four male interviewers on the panel walk through the door a jotting paper drops from a file which Mrs Duncan picks up and reads "good screw".
The official explanation could be something like this: "We would need a good screw to fix Mrs Duncan as the manager for the Furniture Department."
See what I mean about screwing up?
