Thursday, 18 July 2013

Angry Job Letter Response

19 Crab Lane
Bradwell
                                                                                                                        9th of July 2013
Dear Mr Cook
I would like to discuss my contractual, legal and ethical issues in relation to the recent ‘Apprentice digital video production producer’. It states in the proposal that ‘if successful you must not apply for other positions of this nature’. I feel that this should mean you would be given a longer contract and an exclusivity clause in the contract. I feel that there should be a confidentiality clause included so I know my information is safe.
The Equality Act is there to legally protect people against discrimination. From your job offer, I would like to put it politely that it is extremely infringed. Not only do you use religion to discriminate but you are also very ageist. I feel that this completely break ‘The Equality Act 2010’ because you require some under thirty years and who is also a Christian. The content of the proposed video makes me feel incredible uncomfortable because it’s a very sensitive subject among such a young audience and unless I get the job afterwards then I have no protection from and would be liable.  I also won’t be covered by any ‘trade union’ which means I’m on my own if any trouble arises from this even if I am still a member . This links to the physical and mental health and safety as it may affect me in both ways but again I am not covered.
Codes of practice’ and ‘policies and procedures’ are not laws as such, they are more a guide line that the company set up or advise to prevent any legal cases. I feel that in your proposed video idea you could pass applicants some ‘codes of practice’ to make sure nothing bad happens. The representation within the proposed video may cause the younger generation to form an automatic opinion on female’s and males. I feel that from this proposed video you are asking the applicant to portray males as these vicious animals that are only out for one thing and also portraying females as weak and useless. This is not only unfair but also troublesome as the males may be encouraged to grow up like the portrayed image and the females may also do the same or the females may also feel like they are not worthy or some form of rubbish. The representation links to the way certain groups and individuals are portrayed in the media. For example normal everyday teenagers are portrayed as these cruel hooded thugs that bounce round the streets looking to cause trouble and make people’s lives a misery but in actual fact some of them are harmless individuals looking to start their life out right
The ‘Ofcom’ broadcasting code has one section to focus on protecting the under 18’s. I feel that the proposed video goes against what they say in this section because it says ‘Material that might seriously impair the physical, metal or moral development of people under eighteen must not be broadcast.’ I honestly think that the content you are asking the applicant to produce could possibly affect the mental wellbeing of the audience therefore I feel you should re-think the idea. I also think it could cause harm and offence to the viewers because of again the way individuals are portrayed.  Just to add Ofcom exist purely because of the Communications Act (2003) and the Broadcasting Act (1990) so this covers your proposal. ‘The Obscene Publications Act 1959 (c. 66) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom Parliament that significantly reformed the law related to obscenity.’ The Obscene Publications Act 1959 states that anyone who publishes an obscene article is breaking the act. For example your job offer and proposed video could be classed as an obscene publication as it’s a very extreme sexual activity for the proposed audience age. The BBFC protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content. The BBFC would most likely give the proposed video at least a 15 because of the sexual content planned to be included. You ask the applicant to use a “popular music track” within the budget of £20. Getting rights to a music track with popularity will cost above the budget of £20 therefore the applicant may be forced to break copyright and the Intellectual property law say that the only people that has rights of the piece are the people that created it. This means that for the person wanting to use their track could be a lot more hassle then needed and they have no right to it.
I hope you take this letter into consideration and change the problems I have mentioned in your job offer.
Yours sincerely



Megan Hines

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