Sexual Orientation Hiringi Discrimination Essay - 1609 Words

In recent years, multiple states have enacted Employment Nondiscrimination Acts (ENDAs) in order to prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Currently, ENDAs exist in twenty-two states, including the District of Columbia (Martell, 2013). Even though ENDAs work to end sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace, they need to be extended on a federal basis in order to be maximally effective. This is because sexual orientation discrimination still widely exists in employment today. Tilcsik’s (2011) audit study of hiring discrimination among openly gay men proves that this type of discrimination is still heavily present in the labor market. According to Martell’s (2013) study, ENDAs have had success in†¦show more content†¦First, Tilcsik (2011) states that the audit study shows direct evidence of sexual orientation discrimination that exists in hiring, better than studies of discrimination complaints, or surveys of one’s o wn experiences (p. 588). Secondly, because the audit-study ranges across geographic locations that vary in attitudes and legislation in regard to this issue, it provides information on how different laws and attitudes affect the probability of gay people being hired in various labor markets. Lastly, the study gives insight to the power of stereotyping in sexual orientation discrimination. Prior audit studies have not performed similar insight into stereotyping. Tilcsik (2011) effectively implies sexual orientation on job applications without bringing in confounding variables by using a pair of resumes. Both fictitious resumes were graduating seniors in college, seeking entry-level positions. The â€Å"experimental group,† refers to the resume of a hypothesized homosexual male. The resume signaled sexual orientation by showing experience in a â€Å"gay community organization,† specifically by stating the subject served several semesters as a treasurer. This applies rele vancy to a job application because it highlights organizational and financial skills. The â€Å"control group,† refers to a similar resume of a hypothesized heterosexual male that did not disclose group membership in a gay community organization. This resume also demonstrates intensive participation as a treasurer