19 October 2009
The new research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been widely reported as showing that racial discrimination in recruitment still exists towards ethnic minority people. The study showed discrimination occurred for those applying for jobs with a name suggesting they were from an ethnic minority, rather than probably being white British. For every nine applications sent by a candidate perceived to be a white applicant, an equally good applicant with an ethnic minority name had to send sixteen applications to obtain a positive response.

The need for the research was based on the persistent and unexplained gap in the employment rate between the ethnic minority population and the population of Great Britain, where there is still a 13.8 percentage point difference today.

The research was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research. Three very similar applications to actual vacancies were submitted across a particular set of occupations and areas between November 2008 and May 2009. One of the three had a White British name while the other two were from different ethnic minority groups. Names were randomly assigned to different applications. All the applications contained British education and work histories. Three applications were sent to 987 advertised job vacancies giving a total of 2,961 applications. Applications were made to private, public and voluntary sector employers of varying sizes. Discrimination was measured as differential treatment at an aggregate level between the ethnic groups in the study.

Although most media reported on only 3 specific names, the selected names were developed in stages by testing to establish whether they were generally recognised as being from the anticipated ethnic group, of the anticipated gender, and whether they were neutral with regard to age and social class. A sample of the names used is below:

• Nazia Mahmood - Pakistani/Bangladeshi (F)

• Muhammed Kahlid - Pakistani/Bangladeshi (M
)
• Mariam Namagembe - Black African (F)

• Anthony Olukayode - Black African (M
)
• Alison Taylor - White British (F)

• Andrew Clarke - White British (M
)

The public sector vacancies included in this study – which usually required standard application forms, did not discriminate at this initial stage of recruitment. The DWP press release suggests a conclusion that discrimination might be reduced by the use of standard application forms.

Jim Knight, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform said:
"This research clearly shows that some employers are discriminating when it comes to choosing staff. This has no place in a modern society and racial discrimination cannot be allowed to continue. We introduced laws to stop discrimination at work and strengthened them in 2000. We also introduced new diversity and equality requirements in DWP contracts with suppliers. Employees can use the Race Relations Act to take employers to a tribunal if they are being treated unfairly and they will also get support and advice from the European Human Rights Commission to do so.

"We are determined to stop this scourge on society - the Equality Bill will strengthen our hand and we are already preparing to publish specific plans for dealing with discrimination in the workplace later this year."

Sandra Kerr, National Campaign Director, Race for Opportunity said:
"Race for Opportunity welcomes all research into the ethnic minority employment gap and, in particular, into the reasons why ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in the UK workforce. However, it is important that we work beyond the headlines, and concentrate on addressing the causes for this unfairness."

RCEuro Opinion and Analysis
The reports today have been disturbing because of the content, which would seem to indicate discrimination based on ethnic background (as perceived from a candidate's name) is still strong across the UK. The conclusion that it is less so in the public sector because of the use of standard application forms would seem, to us, to be a stretch on such a small statistical sample.

Will the public in general and the recruitment industry, in particular pick up the ball and run with it? The Twitter streams today of our followers have not seemed to be jumping on board with new initiatives or campaigns. Is UK PLC just shrugging its shoulders as if to say that this is the expected norm? We would welcome This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and debate from our readers.

Last update : 22-10-2009 19:06

Keywords : News, Today, Government research shows racial discrimination in recruitment

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