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Overview
To what extent are young ethnic minority jobseekers discriminated against when applying for jobs in England? In this project, we will investigate the barriers for young ethnic minority jobseekers and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), care leaver status, mental ill health, criminal records, and job type. We will also provide policy recommendations to reduce discrimination in hiring practices. Using randomised correspondence trials, in which the researchers send fictional job applications with varying applicant characteristics to real employers, we will explore how these characteristics, both independently and in combination, affect job application outcomes. We focus solely on discrimination against young people at the start of their careers because discrimination in this phase of life has a cumulative effect spanning the lifetime and spilling over into different domains of life. We will identify discriminatory practices in the hiring process and propose policies to improve access to opportunities for these disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the project will examine the effectiveness of diversity statements, company size, and the relationship between diverse company boards and the reduction of discrimination. The goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations to promote inclusive recruitment practices, contributing to a more equitable labour market and a stronger economy.
Jonah Champaud, Youth Futures Foundation
Advisory Board
Dr. Madeleine Sumption
Dr. Mariña Fernández-Reino
Dr. Marti Rovira