Sexism in the workplace can start as early as the hiring process. Whether unconsciously applied or not, these gender biases can significantly affect employee productivity and the financial position of companies, even when they occur infrequently, according to a new US study from the University of Oregon.
This meta-analysis compiles the results of 30 years of research in the fields of human resources in the United States, with a particular focus on employee recruitment. The objective of this study published in Journal of Management was to better understand the effects that gender bias in hiring can have on employers.
Gender bias in hiring refers to favoring one candidate over another solely on the basis of gender. In other words, preferring to hire a man rather than a woman with equal skills and qualifications. While companies are subject to laws prohibiting all forms of discrimination in hiring, it is still naive to claim that these biases have completely disappeared.
"Bias is a problem ingrained in us. It is systematic. It's not typically about bad intent. It is a natural response of human beings to make sense of our complex world by taking mental shortcuts. However, these cognitive shortcuts can have big consequences for us when high stakes rewards like a sought-after job are on the line. Our goal is to better understand it so we can find solutions," explains Jay Hardy, assistant professor of management in OSU's College of Business and lead author of the study.
Significant loss of productivity within companies
The first observation, which is rather positive, is that gender biases in hiring are less frequent than they were in the past. According to the study, they have dropped from 4% to 1% (or perhaps less) in the space of ten years. However, computer simulations carried out by the researchers have shown that the "small biases" that can lead to discrimination in hiring decisions can be costly to companies from a financial point of view. In addition to risking legal action, they also take the risk of hiring a less qualified candidate, which will have consequences on the productivity levels of teams.
For example, a Fortune 500 company that makes 8,000 new hires per year, 1% of which are influenced by gender bias, will be exposed to 32 additional failures and productivity losses of approximately $2.8 million per year. If the effect of gender bias is 4%, the balance sheet could rise to 192 additional hiring failures and a $17 million loss in productivity, the study estimates.
The limits of affirmative action
The study also looked at employers' willingness to reduce gender gaps through what is often termed "affirmative action" or "targeted recruiting." In other words, giving preference to female employees in the hiring process, with the aim of increasing representation among employees more quickly. Methods that are still "imperfect," the researchers point out.
"The targeted recruitment of highly qualified candidates can increase representation, but if you're not fixing the underlying bias problem, these methods do not address discrimination and can lead to other issues, including employee dissatisfaction," assesses Jay Hardy.
While the study focused specifically on gender discrimination, the researchers also point out the presence of other types of discrimination, including racial prejudice, likely much more frequent than that related to gender.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Jan 23 2021
According to the study, gender bias in hiring has decreased from 4 pct to 1 pct (or perhaps less) in the space of ten years. AFPRelaxpic
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Kerajaan tidak bercadang gantung sementara helikoper Fennec, HOM
Kerajaan setakat ini tidak bercadang untuk menggantung sementara perkhidmatan helikopter jenis Fennec dan HOM.
Kejohanan Dunia Boling Padang: Tiga gangsa dalam tangan, misi tukar warna pingat
Skuad boling padang negara layak ke pusingan separuh akhir dalam kesemua kategori yang dipertandingkan di Kejohanan Dunia Dalam Dewan 2024.
Amerika Syarikat mungkin haramkan firma dron China, DJI
Amerika Syarikat kini turut sedang pertimbangkan DJI sebagai ancaman sekuriti, dan mungkin melakukan perundangan untuk mengharamkan DJI.
Bersatu ambil tindakan susulan terhadap enam ahli Parlimen - Muhyiddin
Bersatu sedang melaksanakan tindakan susulan terhadap enam ahli Parlimennya yang menyokong Perdana Menteri selepas meminda Perlembagaan parti bulan lalu.
'Made in Malaysia' - Apple punyai 19 kilang pembekal di negara ini
Malaysia merupakan salah satu negara yang mempunyai beberapa kilang pembekal yang menawarkan komponen kepada Apple.
SPRM lancar bilik gerakan PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu
SPRM melancarkan bilik gerakan, bagi membolehkan orang ramai menyalurkan maklumat serta aduan berkaitan perbuatan rasuah dan salah guna kuasa.
WEF anjur mesyuarat khas di Arab Saudi ketika suhu geopolitik Asia Barat memanas
WEF keluar dari kelazimannya dengan menganjurkan mesyuarat khas dua hari, 28-29 April 2024 di Riyadh, Arab Saudi.
Kerajaan rangka hala tuju beri lebih banyak perlindungan kepada kanak-kanak
Kerajaan akan merangka hala tuju bagi memberikan lebih banyak perlindungan dari segi undang-undang kepada kanak-kanak di negara ini.
Tiada tepung di pasaran tempatan mengandungi benzoil peroksida melebihi kadar dibenarkan - KKM
Tiada mana-mana jenama tepung di pasaran tempatan mengandungi benzoil peroksida melebihi paras yang dibenarkan di bawah undang-undang.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Semua delegasi diminta pulang, FFC akan maklumkan tarikh baharu misi
Menurut Jawatankuasa Pemandu FFC, Ann Wright, pihaknya akan memaklumkan perkembangan terbaharu kepada semua delegasi terlibat sekiranya tarikh akhir pelayaran ditetapkan.