Should a Rolf Harris ringtone disqualify a job applicant?

I interviewed an applicant for a job. His qualifications were suitable, he was punctual and well-presented. Near the end of the interview, his phone rang, which he silenced, then apologised for. I wasn’t worried about him not silencing his phone before the interview, but his ringtone was Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport. Is that reason enough not to employ him?

S.M., Keilor East, Vic

Credit: Simon Letch

A: Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is one of Australia’s most globally renowned novelty songs, written and performed by Rolf Harris, one of Australia’s most globally renowned deceased paedophiles. So choosing that song as a ringtone is slightly problematic and no different to choosing The Cosby Show theme as your ringtone or Harvey Weinstein’s face as your lockscreen.

But it gets a bit complicated because Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is actually a pretty good song. It’s got a catchy tune and funny lyrics and it features the use of a wobbleboard, which sounds great if you don’t know who Rolf Harris is, but if you do know who Rolf Harris is, it sounds like an old paedophile panting.

So it would’ve been only fair to ask the applicant whether he was aware of the song’s backstory. He may be a young person who just likes the tune, knows nothing about Rolf Harris and has only ever heard of Thai Me Kangaroo Down, Sport, the suburban Thai-Aussie-fusion restaurant and sports bar. In which case, give him the job as long as he’s prepared to change his ringtone to something less dodgy: which means R. Kelly’s I Believe I Can Fly is also out, or anything by Gary Glitter. Only reconsider an applicant if they’re aware of the backstory and don’t have a problem with it, or they’re a massive Rolf Harris fan and walked into the interview wearing a scruffy beard, black glasses and an extra leg.

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