BruiseDog, more like: Scottish craft beer company BrewDog shows how not to conduct recruitment on BBC2 “Who’s the Boss” show
Scottish craft beer company BrewDog gave a lesson in how not to conduct recruitment last night when its co-founder featured on the final episode of the BBC2 programme "Who's the Boss?", and Twitter made sure the company knew it wasn't impressed.
On the show, the Aberdeenshire-based company hired an area manager for its London and South East bar division – with a twist.
Instead of James Watt, the company's chief executive, choosing between three hand-picked hopefuls, the entire 200-strong staff of the company were handed the reins and chose which person to hire, after candidates Luci, Andi and Russell spent a week tackling different workplace tasks.
"We make hardcore, artisanal craft beers for punks," Watts said on the show.
The company's office culture is heavy on beer, beards and tattoos, with the staff describing an ideal employee as "not wearing a suit, liking beer and looking good".
But the Twitter tide turned against the company as the programme unfolded and BrewDog's commitment to punk and hipster culture became clear, Watts said he didn't believe any of the candidates were suited to the job and then posed questions such as: "How would you empty a 747 full of jelly beans?"
PR disaster for @brewdog tonight on BBC. Staff seemed great James on the other hand came across a professional arsehole #whostheboss
— Paul Hagan-Rea (@paulhaganrea) March 8, 2016
#brewdog coming across horrifically in #whostheboss – brand car crash! Not controversial or edgey, embarrassing and lame
— Laura Mingins (@LauraMingins) March 8, 2016
#whosetheboss who on earth shortlisted these people for this company ! Fail to see the fit
— Melanie Nicolaou (@MelanieNicolaou) March 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/salty459/status/707327569264254976
There will be a vacancy for @brewdog PR manager in the morning. Ironically, no-one will now apply for it #whostheboss
— Gavin Stevenson (@swav__gav) March 8, 2016
Watts summed up the problem nicely in a couple of his own tweets:
Well. That was a bit of a disaster.
— James Watt (@BrewDogJames) March 8, 2016
Being completely uncompromising when it comes to recruiting is great for a business. But bad for TV.
— James Watt (@BrewDogJames) March 8, 2016
However, the company's appearance seems to have lost it business as well as kudos:
#brewdog #whosetheboss only caught last 10 mins but puts me off buying brewdog drinks. Thumbs down from me
— emmabell (@emmatuke2) March 8, 2016
Can't believe how @brewdog have come across on #whostheboss Will delist & give away remaining stock 2moro. Tweet us if you want some
— Best of British Beer (@bob_beer) March 8, 2016
Other employees of the company also leapt to BrewDog's defence:
Having joined #BrewDog in Nov 2015, I can 100% confirm it's a great place to work! @BBC editing cut content to suit. #whostheboss
— 「Richard Street」 (@_RichardStreet_) March 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrewDogBenjamin/status/707466141501931520
BrewDog declined to comment.