Your company stresses its equal opportunity policies. It has never been found guilty of discriminating on the basis of race, sex, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. You've never seen any evidence of that and you've worked for the firm for 10 years.
You have been recruiting to fill a managerial vacancy in your department. The successful candidate will work for you. The firm has been trying to hire more women in management positions, not because of past discrimination but due to its belief that a diverse team is a better one. An oral board interviewed several candidates and has recommended three for your consideration. You interviewed them and concluded that while one could be ruled out, two of the candidates are very capable. Unfortunately, you have concluded that both are equally qualified. You've looked for a tie-breaker and cannot find one.
Jack is Italian American. His father died when Jack was a baby. His mother has worked as a waitress her entire life. Jack worked his way through school. He served as an airman in the Air Force. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
Jill is African American. Her father is a school principal and her mother is a teacher. Jill didn't have as many jobs as Jack did while in college, but her grades were slightly better. She started a small business after graduation. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
Their other job experience is the same.
Do you:
- Select Jill because the company wants more women in management positions and she is also African American?
- Select Jill because she has small business experience?
- Select Jack because he worked his way up from a poor childhood?
- Select Jack because he served in the military?
- Flip a coin?
Before going further, make sure that you are comfortable with your decision.
After making your decision, now ask yourself if your decision would remain the same if the backgrounds in the above descriptions were switched. (In other words: Jill is Italian American. Her father died when Jill was a baby. Her mother has worked as a waitress her entire life. Jill worked her way through school. She served as an airman in the Air Force. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Jack is African American. His father is a school principal and his mother is a teacher. Jack didn't have as many jobs as Jil did while in college, but his grades were slightly better. He started a small business after graduation. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.)
Ask yourself if you have discriminated on the basis of race and/or sex. Have your actions been consistent with the company's EEO policies?
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