SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the findings of the NBER Working Paper No. 9873, "Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal?" by Bertrand and Mullainathan, which reveals a significant 50% gap in callback rates based on the racial connotation of names. The study indicates that a white name yields callbacks equivalent to an additional eight years of experience, while the impact of a better resume for African-American names is substantially diminished. The authors conclude that discrimination persists across various job sectors and is not alleviated by improved credentials or affirmative action policies, suggesting that training programs alone are insufficient to overcome these barriers.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of labor market discrimination concepts
- Familiarity with statistical significance and its implications
- Knowledge of resume optimization strategies
- Awareness of affirmative action policies and their limitations
NEXT STEPS
- Research the implications of the NBER Working Paper No. 9873 on hiring practices
- Explore additional studies on name-based discrimination in hiring
- Investigate effective resume strategies for marginalized groups
- Examine the role of neighborhood demographics in employment discrimination
USEFUL FOR
Human resource professionals, diversity and inclusion advocates, policymakers, and researchers studying labor market discrimination and its effects on employment opportunities for minority groups.