Class Discrimination? Evidence from Jamaica: A Racially Homogeneous Labor Market. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spencer, Nekeisha; Urquhart, Mikhail-Ann; Whitely, Patrice
• Is Part Of: Review of radical political economics. Volume 52:Number 1(2020:Spring)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: discrimination -- employment -- social class -- Jamaica -- race -- gender; Economics -- Periodicals; United States -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; United States -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 330
• DOI: 10.1177/0486613419832674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0486-6134

Abstract

A common concern in audit studies of racial discrimination is that names assigned to a particular race may also proxy for socioeconomic status. We conduct a correspondence study in Jamaica, a predominantly black middle-income country, and find that these concerns may be valid. The evidence from sending out over 1, 000 résumés suggests employers prefer applicants perceived to be from high-income backgrounds. While qualifications are not independently important, those with names preferred by employers have a lower chance of being selected if they have high-quality résumés. The results suggest that class discrimination may matter as much as race discrimination. JEL Classification: I31, J71, J64