WotC WotC is hiring Senior Manager for Diversity, equity and inclusion.

[Fenris-77]

Hmm, hiring someone with no actual credentials or training for the job doesn't seem like a winning idea. They probably shouldn't hire a white dude though.

I think reading this solely as a face saving move is both premature and uncharitable. It's a senior management role, not a disclaimer, so there's some actual investment, and since they haven't actually hired anyone yet, never mind let them start working, it seems a tad early to claim its all BS.

 

[billd91]

Which is why this vacancy seems like BS. It seems initiated by a desire to save face as opposed to actually being better.

OR it's a tacit admission that they lacked the means of following up on their statements to improve diversity and inclusion and want to bring in someone to help direct the company's cultural change in the desired direction.

 

[Bolares]

He seems motivated to create real change instead of merely protecting the company from PR debacles and lawsuits.

they*

 

[Bolares]

I'm sorry, but saying they should hire Orion seems like just a "hot take" without reading the actual position and the skillset it requires.

The whole Orion thing was awfull on WotC's part, sure... that doesn't meanorion is the best person for this job

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Yeah, the skills required for this position are not the skills that a game designer would necessarily possess. Granted, there have been plenty of instances where people have been good at their job and ended up in management because that was just the advancement path, nevermind that they don't have the skills to actually manage people. But I digress...

So WOTC should hire a game designer with zero management experience, burned bridges and went out of their way to paint their former employee in a bad light and has virtually zero qualifications listed in the job posting?

Here's hoping this results in tangible changes at Wizards. It sounds like this person will have a good degree of authority, which is good. Cultural change in organizations can be difficult, but it can happen, when there is sufficient commitment to it.

 

[Oofta]

Just to be clear: the job of the person taking the new job will be to protect the company.

Hopefully they do that by evaluating company practices and implementing changes and training where necessary. But ultimately employees are there to make the company more successful and to prevent future issues. Hopefully they can not only avoid issues, but make the company more inclusive along they way.

There is no "merely protecting the company". Protecting the company is the reason for the new position. They protect it by trying to minimize future issues. That in no ways absolves the company of responsibility, but how the company deals with lawsuits is the legal department's responsibility.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

They should hire a professional with experience managing this sort of change in other organisations, but who is not an aging white male, frankly. It is definitely true that for this kind of position to be effective, you need more motivation than "just doing your job". The candidates are out there. The question is if WotC can attract them.

Just to be clear: the job of the person taking the new job will be to protect the company.

Hopefully they do that by evaluating company practices and implementing changes and training where necessary. But ultimately employees are there to make the company more successful and to prevent future issues. Hopefully they can not only avoid issues, but make the company more inclusive along they way.

There is no "merely protecting the company". Protecting the company is the reason for the new position. They protect it by trying to minimize future issues. That in no ways absolves the company of responsibility, but how the company deals with lawsuits is the legal department's responsibility.

Yup, glad some other people knows how it works. This is why motivation is important. HR/PR roles like this are primarily there to protect the company - if someone is motivated to do good, it means they can exceed that and create actual change, at least potentially. But yes, everything you've said is true.

 

[Haldrik]

I like the title of the position:

• diversity, views from different identity groups, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, perhaps ages and economies
• equity, respect each identity group with culturally accurate descriptions and fairness between identity groups
• inclusivity, make sure reallife gamers feel welcome and have images and descriptions that they can relate to and enjoy

The above framework feels like a helpful approach.

I like the fact that the framework is fair. For example, it protects aging cis straight English male identity groups as much as other identity groups. All humans deserve a seat at the table of humanity.

 

[Umbran]

OR it's a tacit admission that they lacked the means of following up on their statements to improve diversity and inclusion ...

Because, on the internet, everything seems all or nothing.

Even if they have the means, it is sensible (perhaps even wise) to get an expert.

 

[DemoMonkey]

That job posting is positively elegant in its opacity. It contains almost every single piece of jargon you would need for an entire slew of "Corporate Meeting Bingo" cards.