'Disturbing': 1 in 4 recruiters unlikely to accept Jewish applicants

Discrimination against Jews starts as early as the hiring process, a new report has found, as employers are urged to stamp out antisemitism in their workplace culture.

A survey by ResumeBuilder.com among 1,131 hiring managers and recruiters in the U.S. found that 26 per cent of them would be less likely to move forward with Jewish applicants.

Leadership plays a part in this discrimination, as 17 per cent of the respondents said they have been told by their leaders not to hire from this group.

The findings are "disturbing,” says Stacie Haller, executive recruiter and career counsellor.

"This data shows a disturbing number of hiring managers not only admit to having a negative bias against Jewish applicants, but also, that they actively want to keep Jews out of their workplace," she says. "Antisemitism in the workplace starts at the hiring process with individuals who do not want to hire Jews because of bigoted stereotypes, but that is not where it ends."

Oversight, training needed in workplace

According to the report, 14 per cent of the respondents said that antisemitism is "very common" in their workplace, while 29 per cent said it is "very acceptable" in their company.

"It's evident that antisemitism extends way beyond the hiring process," says Haller.

The survey came as several well-known personalities came under fire for antisemitism, including Kanye West and Kyrie Irving. Comedian Dave Chappelle, whose controversial stand-up special prompted Netflix employees to walk out, also sparked criticism during his Saturday Night Live monologue for antisemitism.

In workplaces, discussions on hiring equally have left out Jewish applicants, says Haller.

"Organizations need to commit to oversight, training, and having meaningful conversations about antisemitism. Removing prejudice and ensuring the workplace is equal, fair, and accessible for all is not an easy challenge for organisations to tackle, but it's absolutely essential.”