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Discrimination against gays and lesbians in hiring decisions: a meta-analysis

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  • Alexandre Flage

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the true level of discrimination against openly gay and lesbian applicants in hiring decisions in OECD countries as well as on its determinants. Design/methodology/approach - The author presents an overview of all studies conducted in order to test for discrimination against homosexual applicants in the labor market by the correspondence testing method. Moreover, the author performs a meta-analysis of correspondence tests from 18 separate studies conducted in OECD countries to test sexual orientation discrimination, containing more than 70 estimates of effects and representing a total of more than 50,000 resumes sent to employers. In addition to presenting overall results, the author focus on subgroups of specific correspondence tests in order to highlight the differences across gender, type of jobs, procedure, continent and type of information provided in applications. Findings - The author provides evidence that sexual orientation discrimination occurs in the labor market in OECD countries, such that openly homosexual applicants face similar discrimination as ethnic minority applicants. Discrimination is significantly greater in the selection process for low-skilled than for high-skilled jobs. In the selection process for low-skilled jobs, lesbian candidates face significantly lower discrimination than gays (except in jobs that are considered “women’s” jobs). Discrimination is significantly higher in Europe than in North America. Moreover, the way sexual orientation is signaled may influence the level of discrimination found. Finally, discrimination against homosexual applicants is not only a matter of preferences: providing more positive information in applications significantly reduces the level of discrimination. Originality/value - This paper offers the first quantitative analysis of sexual orientation discrimination in OECD countries through meta-analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Flage, 2019. "Discrimination against gays and lesbians in hiring decisions: a meta-analysis," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 41(6), pages 671-691, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:ijm-08-2018-0239
    DOI: 10.1108/IJM-08-2018-0239
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Taryn Eames, 2024. "Taryn versus Taryn (she/her) versus Taryn (they/them): A Field Experiment on Pronoun Disclosure and Hiring Discrimination," Working Papers tecipa-766, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    2. Tampellini, João, 2024. "Latin American pride: Labor market outcomes of sexual minorities in Brazil," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Lippens, Louis & Vermeiren, Siel & Baert, Stijn, 2023. "The state of hiring discrimination: A meta-analysis of (almost) all recent correspondence experiments," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Mourelatos, Evangelos, 2023. "Does Mood affect Sexual and Gender Discrimination in Hiring Choices? Evidence from Online Experiments," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    5. Anthony Doucouliagos & Hristos Doucouliagos & T. D. Stanley, 2024. "Power and bias in industrial relations research," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(1), pages 3-27, March.
    6. Cochard, François & Flage, Alexandre & Peterle, Emmanuel, 2019. "Intermediation and discrimination in an investment game: An experimental study," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 196-208.
    7. Alexandre Flage, 2021. "Discrimination against same-sex couples in the rental housing market, a meta-analysis," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(2), pages 643-653.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    LGBT; Meta-analysis; LGBTQ; LGBTI; Hiring decisions; Correspondence test; Sexual orientation discrimination; J7; J71; J64; C93;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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