Ethnic names hinder job seeking: report
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A new study has found job seekers with ethnic names are less likely to be considered for positions than those with Anglo-Saxon names.
Researchers at the Australian National University sent out more than 4,000 fake applications to employers, all containing the same qualifications but different names.
They found those with Anglo-Saxon names received more calls than those with Indigenous, Chinese, Middle Eastern or Italian names.
ANU economist Professor Andrew Leigh says it is not clear whether employers were being deliberately racist.
"It could be that a very small share of employers are behaving very badly," he said.
"Or possibly, a large share of employers are just subconsciously making the mistake of choosing the less qualified Anglo candidate over the more qualified Chinese candidate."
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has rejected the research findings.
ACCI director of economic policy Greg Evans denies employers are racist.
"We think its an unfair and misleading characterisation of Australian business," he said.
"Australian business actually values diversity amongst its workforce. and if you look at this is an elaborate experiment but unfortunately its disproven in reality."
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