Should race be a consideration when hiring applicants?

Manager’s Hot Seat: Diversity in Hiring

Human resource management consists of the key activities managers perform to plan for, attract, develop, and retain an effective workforce. One of these key activities is recruiting and selection. Recruiting and selecting involves the process of locating and attracting qualified applicants for jobs open in the organization. It is very important to attract the right people to fill the needs of the organization. In order to avoid exposure to legal liabilities, human resource managers need to be aware of federal laws and regulations protecting employees such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.

Attracting and selecting the right people is crucial for the success of your organization. In addition, human resource managers need to understand and uphold the U.S. laws and regulations that protect workers such as the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This legislation aims to reduce discrimination in employment based on racial, ethnic, religious bigotry, and gender stereotypes. In the video case, two equally qualified applicants are interviewed for a sales job. Although the applicants are equally qualified, race and discrimination becomes a major issue in determining who to hire. Should race be a consideration when hiring applicants?