[Red Badger]

I once had to tell a highly qualified white man that he would not get the job he was interviewing for because I had been given orders to hire a minority.................

[Gaffer]

....I had been given orders to hire a minority....

That game goes both ways. I was constantly involved in the hiring process for degreed engineers of all types. Dozens and Dozens and Dozens.

Whenever ANYONE even suggested that I give preference solely because of diversity, I responded "Sure! All you have to do is to give me that directive in writing." In case one thinks I was prejudiced and looking for a defense, I can honestly say my unit was the most diverse of the whole organization that I knew of. The difference was that I didn't accept incompetence because of diversity. Everyone I hired was well-qualified.

[bgill]

I once had to tell a highly qualified white man that he would not get the job he was interviewing for because I had been given orders to hire a minority.................

I'd gone in for an interview with Texas Parks and Wildlife. I was hired and went through all the paperwork, etc. The day before I was to start, my soon to be boss called and was very upset. Seems that they had to hire a black for the position. The job posting was open for at least six months after that and not one black ever applied. I should have filed against the state but was young and naive at the time. Right before that, I'd applied at the post office. The postmaster flat out told me he was required to interview me because I'd scored the highest on the test but that he was looking for a man for the job. If only I knew then what I know now...

[The_Media_never_lie]

I had to go through the motions of interviewing white guys for a job that would go to a black person. I asked HR not to send any white applicants in (waste of their time). They said they could not do that. Management was adamant this employee would be black.

We finally ended up hiring a marginally qualified nice guy who came within an inch of getting fired and left after a few years. I still have the emails and applications somewhere.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I had to go through the motions of interviewing white guys for a job that would go to a black person. I asked HR not to send any white applicants in (waste of their time). They said they could not do that. Management was adamant this employee would be black.

We finally ended up hiring a marginally qualified nice guy who came within an inch of getting fired and left after a few years. I still have the emails and applications somewhere.

[SuperLuminal]

I once had to tell a highly qualified white man that he would not get the job he was interviewing for because I had been given orders to hire a minority................."

Yep!

You were just obeying orders...A phrase that rings down through history...