The apparent under-performance of ethnic minority employees is due to the
perception of white managers rather than a true indication of their abilities,
according to an Institute for Employment Studies report.
Co-author of the IES report, Niidjan Tackey, comments, "While some
studies have found real differences in performance, the weight of evidence
suggests many of the observed differences are due to bias on the part of those
making performance judgements. In other words, some white managers assess their
minority ethnic subordinates on criteria other than their ability alone."
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
The report, called The Problem of Minority Performance in Organisations,
advises HR departments to try to identify any bias in the performance of ethnic
minority employees by examining their selection, recruitment and training
processes.
Tackey said, "In most organisations the fault doesn’t lie in the
systems but in their application."
