Racism and Recruitment: Managers, Organisations and Equal Opportunity in the Labour Market

This book, first published in 1986, focuses upon the processes whereby black workers were systematically disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process. Based on research into forty organisations in the public, manufacturing and retailing sectors in Britain, the book argues that straightforward, racist, direct discrimination was still a major problem during the mid-1980s. In addition the book identifies a range of more subtle processes, involving stereotypes of acceptability and ethnic stereotypes, informal social networks and ‘word of mouth’ contacts, which also constitute a barrier for black job seekers. These processes are documented on the basis of extensive quotations from interviews. Using detailed case-study material from two organisations the author draws attention to the importance of organisational politics and their impact upon the recruitment of black workers and the formulation and implementation of equal opportunity policies. Finally the implications of unemployment and recession for the prospects of black workers are discussed and the feasibility and desirability of a range of policy options are assessed.