Publishing powerhouse Penguin has just removed the need for job applicants to hold a degree. The move comes as the group say that they want to attract more varied applicants.
According to The Huffington Post, Penguin Random House UK cited “increasing evidence that there is no simple correlation” between having a degree and work performance as the reason for its decision.
The company has removed the degree requirement from all job postings in the UK with immediate effect in order to afford “every applicant the opportunity to demonstrate their potential, creativity, strengths and ideas, regardless of their background”.
“Not having been through higher education will no longer preclude anyone from joining and progressing their career with Penguin Random House UK – if they have the skills and potential,” the company added. “The move is also designed to send a clear message to job-seekers who have been through higher education that the university they attended will not impact their chance of success.”
HR Director, Neil Morrison welcomed the move and believes the decision will result in the hiring of a more diversified workforce.
“This is the starting point for our concerted action to make publishing far, far more inclusive than it has been to date. We believe this is critical to our future: to publish the best books that appeal to readers everywhere, we need to have people from different backgrounds with different perspectives and a workforce that truly reflects today’s society,” he said.
cover image via The Guardian
