What’s in a Name?

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While we all like to think things have changed since those days on the back of the bus and different bathrooms, have they really or does racism still exist? Clearly things have definitely improved tenfold since those dark days but is there still discrimination in hiring? The answer to this question is a resounding yes. The problem is that it is carefully jaded these days by terms such as “overqualified”, “not a good fit”, “did not have the skills we are looking for” or just plain ignoring resumes and inquiries. Sometimes women’s resumes are disregarded or Muslim sounding names are deleted from emails. And this is just in the application process! Sound preposterous? Unfortunately it is not and even today it is real and still goes on. The same goes for individuals of a certain ethnicity, for example a person who is of Indian, Russian or Asian descent is much more likely to be considered and “trusted” for an IT position, and if they are female wow a trifecta covering EEO, Affirmative Action and hopefully getting the resource they need. Going one step further HR departments everywhere will decide who to bring in and not depending on their personal preference. Unfortunately given the current economic condition employers can be picky. While we have tried to make huge strides in Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunities, the balance is still somewhat inequitable. Back in the 80’s and 90’s when it was vogue, employers swung the other way to fulfill quotas and hired less qualified individuals just to meet their guidelines. This left organizations filled with unqualified staff and many wound up hiring 2 and 3 people to do the job of one, creating bloated and oversized companies contributing even still to some of the current layoffs in masses we see today.

Now the word de jour is “Diversity”. Ok same concept, but unfortunately the same result. With the exception of filling out a bunch of forms and asking people of their race, these efforts are largely fruitless. There are always excuses and words such as “overqualified” and “not the right skills” that will allow discrimination to continue. Given small businesses currently employ over 60% of our workforce EEO and Affirmative Action efforts typically fall under the radar and are inconsequential in their hiring decisions.

While there is probably not a true balance, I do believe there is an opportunity to go back to hiring based on who someone is rather then what they are. While hiring discrimination does still exist, it is still a small percentage of the overall hiring process. While all of what I mention above is still relevant and happens, individuals of all backgrounds do find employment and are hired but typically do not fall under an EEO or Affirmative Action umbrella. They are hired for their personalities, their skills and ability to do a good job.

Discrimination in hiring still does exist and unfortunately it is not something that I believe will disappear but it is not in every company and every situation. So you don’t get hired for company x big deal, work for company y. Quite honestly, would you want to work for company x anyway? Even today there is enough opportunity to find the right situation; it is just a little harder. Anyone with talent and motivation can make anything happen regardless of who or what they are.

Given the current job market and economic troubles I remain hopeful things will progress further to improve our efforts of equitability for all in the job hiring process. Because regardless of your color, ethnicity or skills we are unfortunately all in the same boat these days…