Unethical companies should not be
allowed to advertise jobs in the Guild
GUILD COUNCIL MEETING
Date of Meeting - 06/12/2012
Author Name: Leander Jones (Vice President Democracy and Resources)
Purpose: (Delete as appropriate)
Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law
Summary:
The Guild has policy which precludes it from procuring goods from, or securing contracts
with, certain companies which are deemed to be unethical or environmentally
damaging. However the Guild is still explicitly allowed to advertise job opportunities with
such companies to students. This seems contradictory and inconsistent – and this motion
seeks to prevent the Guild promoting job opportunities in companies which it otherwise
condemns.
Section One: Amend Existing Policy/Bye-Law
1.1 Section of Document (e.g. Bye-Law 4 Section 5)
Change last paragraph of Belief and Commitment 4. Ethical Business Practices
1.2. Proposed Amended Text (normally no more than 200 words in case of Belief and
Commitment)
The Current text reads: “The Guild shall not ban any company from advertising
employment opportunities to students due to ethical concerns about their business
practices as it is committed to respecting the ability of students to make their own
decisions regarding their choice of career.”
The new text shall read:
The Guild shall not advertise employment opportunities in companies which are deemed
unethical or environmentally harmful according to its Ethical, Environmental and
Procurement Policy and will actively seek out and highlight alternative opportunities in
line with its Ethical Business Policy.’
Section Four: Written Statement in Support of Motion (shall normally be no more than 500
words)
The clause as it currently stands is inconsistent with the rest of the Belief and Commitment
4 “Ethical Business Practices”, and is also inconsistent with the new Ethical, Environmental
and Procurement Policy passed by the finance committee and Trustee Board.
While it is believed that students should have free choice with regard to career, the
current practice of allowing these companies to advertise jobs to students gives them a
platform, which encourages students to take up employment in these corporations. It
If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk
Unethical companies should not be
allowed to advertise jobs in the Guild
seems odd that the Guild encourages employment in companies which its Beliefs and
Commitments and policy documents condemn.
Forbidding such companies would not restrict choice, seeing as they will remain heavily
present in University careers fairs. It is the Guild’s duty to offer alternative types of
employment opportunities from the mainstream large corporations which dominate
every walk of life. The Guild, as a democratic union, should be leading the way towards
progressive change in society. It should provide opportunities in accordance with the
ideals of its students, not based upon the needs of the powerful market actors.
If you have any queries, please e-mail council@guild.bham.ac.uk