How to Reduce Unconscious Bias in Recruiting and Hiring

Author: XpertHR Editorial Team

Unconscious bias refers to an individual's preexisting attitudes that may, however unwittingly, influence his or her judgment. Such bias can be trickier to recognize than explicit discrimination or stereotyping, but it may be equally damaging not only to an employer's recruitment efforts, but also to its bottom line.

There are numerous forms of unconscious bias, any one of which can tilt the selection process and lead to a less diverse workforce. Even the fairest-minded of managers are likely to have a certain degree of bias. Fortunately, there are steps an employer can take to reduce its risk of having unconscious bias scuttle its hiring process.