EMPLOYMENT

Discrimination should never be part of the job.

P rohibitions against employment discrimination protect individuals from unfair treatment on the job and help to ensure healthy and productive workplaces. By requiring employers to shield workers and job applicants from arbitrary and hostile treatment due to race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other characteristics protected under federal, state, and local laws, fair employment protections help create equal employment opportunity.

CIVIL RIGHTS TESTING

NEWS/HIGHLIGHTS

Cover page for Behind Closed Doors report

The ERC released a report based on a civil rights testing investigation into bias against LGBT job applicants in Virginia. Using matched pair testing, the ERC compared the experiences of straight job applicants with gay/queer job applicants during the hiring process. Results pointed to the existence of discrimination against gay/queer job applicants. The ERC conducted a total of 10 matched-pair tests at companies in Virginia and some form of discrimination was suspected in three out of 10 comprehensive tests.

In 2014, the ERC collaborated with Freedom to Work to launch a testing-based investigation to assess the extent of employment discrimination against LGBT job applicants in federal contractor hiring. Eight major federal contractors throughout the country were tested, and the investigation found that LGBT applicants were 23% less likely to receive a call-back than their non-LGBT counterpart, even when the LGBT applicant was better qualified than the non-LGBT applicant.

Illustration of a white man sitting behind a desk interviewing a Black man who wears work boots. Text reads: An employee at one agency gave a Black male tester a detailed lecture about disciplinary procedures, explaining they would fire him and reduce his pay for his last day on the job if they found out he came to work “drunk” or “high” or “stole” or “disrespected” anyone at the job site. The same employee met with the Latino tester during the test and did not subject him to this lecture.

ERC Employment Testing Investigation Exposes Potential Discrimination at Staffing Agencies In Houston, TX and Nashville, TN

Using matched-pair civil rights testing, ERC found instances where equally qualified applicants received disparate treatment based on race and gender.

ERC Resume Testing Investigation Finds Racial Disparities at Chipotle Restaurants

ERC’s investigation found evidence of potential racial disparities in Chipotle’s hiring practices which may disadvantage Black applicants for restaurant management positions.

Illustration of a wave. Text next to it reads: Making Waves: Individual Action Leads to Community Change. A virtual ERC members meeting highlighting individual stories with community impact. Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern Time.

Making Waves: Members Meeting Recap

Thanks to all who made waves with us last week at our virtual members meeting!

Thumbnail of youtube video featuring Eli Cohn.

ERC Employment Testing Investigation Exposes Widespread Discrimination at Staffing Agencies

The ERC’s investigation broke new ground by using matched-pair testing to systematically investigate the prevalence of racial discrimination throughout Chicago’s industrial staffing sector.