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Hiring Discrimination in Labor Markets. An Experimental Study of Mood Regulation

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  • Mourelatos, Evangelos

Abstract

We explore whether there is a link between mood and hiring decisions. This research examines how positive mood affects the discrimination faced my homosexual job candidates compared to heterosexuals. Our experimental design allows us to track the complete hiring process and monitor employers' behavior within and without our treatment context, in both online and offline labor market settings. Constructing pairs of curriculum vitae, distinguished, in each case, only by the sexual orientation or the gender of the applicants, led to the observation that females and gay men faced a significantly lower chance of getting hired regardless the labor market context. We also find that female employers propose higher levels of discrimination only for the case of female applicants. Our positive mood manipulation led to a depletion of discrimination levels, with the effects being more robust in the online labor context. Thus, there is substantial experimental evidence to suggest that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender does exist also in online labor markets. Contributions to the hiring discrimination, mood research, and gig-economy literature are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mourelatos, Evangelos, 2021. "Hiring Discrimination in Labor Markets. An Experimental Study of Mood Regulation," GLO Discussion Paper Series 956, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:956
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    experiment; hiring discrimination; mood; online labor markets; gender; sexual orientation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • D87 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Neuroeconomics
    • D53 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Financial Markets
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles

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