COVID-19 May Worsen Biases During The Hiring Process. Here’s How That Can Be Avoided
COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of millions worldwide. It is estimated that unemployment in the US alone will hit 32% — that’s 47 million recent graduates, experienced professionals, minorities, and overseas professionals.1 There is no doubt companies will start to hire skilled and unskilled labour in substantial numbers as we pull through this crisis. But, the ‘new-normal’ presents new challenges for Human Resource (HR) managers. Ethnicity and race-based biases have become more entrenched — all while marginalized communities are suffering disproportionately from the impacts of the virus itself.
As we rebuild from COVID-19, individual and group identities will emerge based on one’s experience during the crisis. It might then become far too easy for us to judge others based on their past behavior; for example, compliance with quarantine rules, actual infection status, race,2 and perhaps most importantly, job status during the crisis. Such information could create pitfalls that HR managers may find themselves in when evaluating candidates.
References
- Davidson, Paul. (2020). Unemployment could top 32% as 47M workers are laid off amid coronavirus: St. Louis Fed. USA Today, retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/
- Harvard Kennedy School. (2020). Big, If True Webinar: Race, Xenophobia, and COVID-19. Youtube, retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/
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- Blanding, D., Solomon, D (2020). The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Fueling Fear and Hate Across America. Center for American Progress. Center for American Progress, retrieved at https://www.americanprogress.org
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About the Author
Siddharth Ramalingam
Siddharth’s diverse education and experience feed his interest in the applicability of behavioral science in understanding our world and solving big problems. His work encompasses international development, consulting, finance, and social innovation. Apart from an MPA from Harvard University, he also has graduate degrees in Political Theory, Human Rights Law, Management, and Economics.
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