Jobseekers face yet another hurdle, one study suggests
Even in recruitment there is a class divide, according to one in three jobseekers who claim they’ve been discriminated against because of their socio-economic standing.
Overall, two-thirds of respondents surveyed by CV-Library in the UK are convinced social class continues to be a hurdle when applying for a job. But more than half of employers included in the poll dismiss the claim that class is a factor.
“Our study highlights the disconnect between how workers and businesses feel about the issue,” said Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library. “It’s clear that more needs to be done to raise awareness of its impact on both organisations and job hunters.”
READ MORE: Discrimination still rampant despite D&I efforts
The majority of employers recognise how some recruiters might exhibit bias during candidate screening (85%), particularly during the interview (86%) – and most candidates (79%) agree.
Jobseekers who claim to have encountered prejudice during the application process cite the following factors as a point of contention:
- Place they are from (48%)
- Social class (46%)
- Manner of speaking (43%)
- Educational institution attended (33%)
- Place of residence (19%)
And while the talent shortage is proving to be a challenge for some organisations, recruiters are still purportedly discriminating against candidates based on how they speak (77%), where they are from (45%), and which class they belong (32%), according to employer-respondents.
“Ensuring that your recruitment process is fair for all applicants is crucial, especially if you’re already struggling to find the talent you need to fill your vacancies,” Biggins said.
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For seven in 10 workers, legal remedies are necessary to prevent companies from exercising class prejudice against a candidate – in the same way the law prohibits discrimination based on a person’s sex, age, disability, race and religion.