Employment Decisions During COVID-19 Recession Emphasize Racial Bias

Black workers are being laid off more and hired less as the coronavirus-induced recession drags on, according to recently revealed employment statistics.

Racial bias in hiring is not new, but its effects may be exacerbated by the current recession that is projected to continue as long as COVID-19 remains uncontrolled. The current inequity in the economy echoes that of the Great Recession of 2008, say some experts who point out that Black workers were unemployed at a greater rate than white workers. Additionally, Black workers faced high unemployment rates for much longer, reports the Rand Corporation.

Racial Bias Reflected in Coronavirus Recession Employment Trends

Current employment data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Black workers face the same trend in the current recession. A few months into the coronavirus pandemic, as businesses shuttered and economic activity tanked, Black workers faced a 16.8% unemployment rate, while white workers faced a 12.4% unemployment rate.

While unemployment rates have reportedly dropped, the number of Black workers unemployed in August, 13%, compared to the number of unemployed white workers, 7%, demonstrates that there are still inequities at work.

Racial Disparities at Every Income Level

Indeed, according to the Economic Policy Institute, age, education, and other factors do not account for the employment disparities experienced by Black workers. In 2019, EPI reported that Black workers at every education level are more likely to be unemployed than white workers.

In addition, Black workers’ incomes, along with those of other minorities, take longer to recover from recessions than white workers’ incomes.

According to EPI, 10 years after the Great Recession, Black workers’ incomes had not fully recovered. Now, Black workers appear to be taking another hit with racial bias during the coronavirus recession and experts are concerned that they will face the same long road to recovery as in previous recessions.

2020 Began on Positive Note

According to the Rand Corporation, the unemployment rate for Black workers in the beginning of 2020 was at historic lows – although it was still double the unemployment rate of white workers. However, along with the rest of the country, Black workers were affected by the tanking economy in March and April, albeit at double the unemployment rate of white workers.

Black Workers More Likely to Face Permanent Layoffs, Less Likely to Be Employed

Recent labor statistics reveal that Black workers not only face higher unemployment rates, but they are also more likely to be permanently laid off.

Initially, many workers faced what they hoped were temporary layoffs as businesses temporarily closed under coronavirus restrictions.

However, as the economy began to rebound in later months, labor data shows that white workers were more likely to be returned to employment. Additionally, Black workers were more likely to be permanently laid off.

High Unemployment, Unrest

CNBC reported in June that, though some workers enjoyed a decline in unemployment rates, Black workers faced a slight increase. High unemployment of Black workers reportedly occurred at the same time as racial bias in policing led to protests and unrest this summer.

Protesters reportedly pointed out not only racial bias in policing, but in the economic system as well. The recession that continues as the coronavirus spreads exacerbates these inequalities and experts are concerned that Black workers will have a hard time getting back to pre-recession income levels.

Racial bias in employment is nothing new. Black workers have historically faced twice the rate of unemployment as white workers and, unfortunately, continue to do so during the coronavirus recession.

Experts say that there are ways to address unconscious racial bias, also know as implicit bias, in the hiring process, from rethinking how to write job descriptions to how resumes are reviewed.

Indeed, until employers begin addressing racial inequities, both conscious and unconscious, bias is going to continue to contribute to an unfair playing field in the American economic system.

What do you think about racial bias in employment related to the coronavirus recession? We want to hear your opinion! Tell us in the comment section below!

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