A study sent out 80,000 fake resumes to understand if companies hire predominantly white candidates: here's what researchers discovered

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago, the pervasive issue of racial discrimination within the hiring practices of U.S. companies has been brought to light. Through an innovative approach involving the submission of 80,000 fictitious resumes to nearly 100 companies between 2019 and 2021, the study aimed to assess the frequency at which white and black candidates were called back for job interviews.

The findings, while startling, were not entirely unexpected. Candidates bearing names typically associated with white females received more callbacks compared to their counterparts with names commonly found among black males. On average, white candidates were called back 9.5% more often than black candidates. This significant discrepancy underscores a clear trend of discrimination that impacts the employment opportunities available to black candidates.

The report ranked companies based on the level of discrimination observed in their hiring processes. The worst offenders were AutoNation and Genuine Parts Company, both in the automotive sector, which contacted white candidates between 33% and 43% more often than black candidates. However, 20% of the companies accounted for about 50% of the total discrimination, pointing to a concentration of discriminatory practices within a small number of firms.

Some industries show little to no racial bias in hiring

On a more positive note, the report highlighted sectors such as grocery retail, freight transport, and wholesale trade as areas showing little to no racial bias in hiring practices. Companies like Kroger, FedEx, and Sysco were lauded as examples of businesses that operate impartially in their recruitment efforts.

To combat discrimination, the report recommends strategies such as centralized human resources operations, diversity within hiring teams, and a focus on skills over academic credentials. Interestingly, common measures like having a diversity officer or diversity training were not linked to a reduction in discrimination.

The report thus emphasizes the persistence of bias in the job market and calls for companies to reassess and reform their hiring practices to promote inclusivity. Despite legal prohibitions against discrimination, the study’s findings highlight the need for ongoing efforts to dismantle discriminatory barriers and create a fair and inclusive work environment for all candidates.

Source: BFI