Other biases besides age.
Yes, I think we all agree ageism exists and it's a hard nut to crack. Yet, there are many other things employers discriminate against that aren't talked about often. A person's name is a major one! There were studies done where they sent out resumes, only changing the candidate's name to something very ethnic sounding, etc. opposed to using a generic name like Susan Smith, for instance. All information on the resumes was identical yet in 9/10 cases Susan was invited in for an interview, yet the individual with the ethnic name was passed over! I've had a lot of clients with extremely ethnic names, or names that were impossible to pronounce. When a client's name has 15 consonants and 3 vowels, it can lead to trouble. No one wants to call a person and totally mess up his or her name. Well, no sane and intelligent person..... I had to qualify that because you cannot believe what people have done to my name, Genise. After living for 67 years I can totally understand spelling it wrong when I just say it. However, I don't think it requires a Ph.D. to figure out that it is as simple as "Denise" but with a "G." People don't listen. I will spell it out and watch them spelling it completely wrong as I speak. Why ask? It's rude, disrespectful, and makes me mad because some people just don't care enough to get it right. I've worked at places, even known people, personally for years and they still call me Denise or Janice. So, I can them Bill when their name is Bob, and so on. Back to my clients with difficult names. It's a real judgement call to ask a person if it's okay to use a nickname or something more common on their resume. I've done it a few times and always feel weird because I don't know what they might think. The way I see it is if someone was concerned enough to tell me it could be an issue I'd certainly have a lot more respect for them than the guy who would turn the other cheek. Just wondering what others think.
It definitely seems to be a common problem, not to mention one proven with the kinds of research studies you mentioned. A lot of folks out there don't even fully understand the extent of their bias, or how it affects others. Thanks for another post to get us thinking @Genise Caruso!! ✨💕
Hi @Genise Caruso , WOW, this post brought back some memories. Growing up with a name like Lenin, back in the day pre-internet, was challenging to say the least. People would associate the pronunciation with Lennon, (like the Bettles John Lennon) or Leonard, or Larry, and who knows what else. Honestly, back then I never bothered to correct them.
Those who were familiar with the name Lenin would make smart remarks like… “where you parents some kind of communist or something”, which again I would just shrug off.
As far as jobs, in those days in-person, manual applications were common. Nothing online, so I had an opportunity to instantly put a face and add face-to-face comments to support my applications. The last time I actually submitted an online application was in or about 2008.
A lot has changed since then. Do you think this new marginalization is due to the automated online application selection process otherwise known as ATS or do you think employers are manually rejecting applicants because of their names?
I realize this is a sensitive topic but one worth exploring if, in fact, this is a regular occurrence within today’s online application process. I’ll be reaching out to some of my HR and hiring manager resources to get their feedback on this.
Also, curious to see if other members have experienced this form of bias. Good read
I've worked a lot with clients' that have ethnic names. I never understood why it was hard for other people to just politely ask them how to pronounce their name. My last name is said wrong by everyone. It's a German name, Poll is pronounced Paul. I've had people say pole spell it as pole. It's been for so long I don't even say my last name correctly. There's no point.
Absolutely correct! Sometimes people think I'm a mean and unfriendly person just because of my name!☹️
I've been called Ethel so many times I think it's an alter-ego. I was named after my Mom making it all the more insulting.