Social Media Posts About Racism Leads to Evaluative Backlash for Black Job Applicants

Abstract

Black Americans post about race and race-related issues on social media more than any other racial group. In this study, we investigated whether Black Americans who post about racism on social networking sites (i.e., Facebook) experience evaluative backlash during the employee selection process. Participants ( N = 154) were given a Black job candidate’s cover letter, resume, and a scanned printout of their social media. Depending on what condition they were randomly assigned to, the applicant’s social media contained posts about racism or posts that were race neutral. Results indicated that Black individuals whose posts were about racism were evaluated less favorably than Black individuals whose posts were race neutral. Specifically, they were perceived as being less likable. In addition, Black individuals whose social media posts were related to racism were less likely to be offered an interview for a job. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

A Practice Theory Perspective on Dribbble and the Evolving Design Industry

“…It is unclear but possible that this shift might be related to prior work on surveillance and hiring on social media platforms (Robards & Graf, 2022). For example, the comments Black individuals post on social media shapes how they are evaluated for jobs (Howard et al, 2020). Given that Dribbble facilitates job seeking for its users, it is possible that this practice of giving and receiving feedback could be shaped by sensitivities toward the online job market.…”

“How a Facebook Update Can Cost You Your Job”: News Coverage of Employment Terminations Following Social Media Disclosures, From Racist Cops to Queer Teachers

“…They asked a diverse group of 154 participants in the United States-many of whom had some experience in hiring decisions-to rate candidates for an office supervisor job, based on their cover letter, resume, and a printout of their Facebook profiles. For the fictional people with profiles that included posts complaining about racism, Howard et al's (2020) participants rated them less favorably in terms of likability and likelihood to offer them a job interview. This resonates with Ahmed's wider work on the complaint.…”

“…Despite this pattern in our own data, it is also clear that speaking out on social media about racism and other issues of harassment and discrimination can also be detrimental in professional terms. Howard et al (2020) found that posting about racism on social media can have professional consequences for Black Americans. They asked a diverse group of 154 participants in the United States—many of whom had some experience in hiring decisions—to rate candidates for an office supervisor job, based on their cover letter, resume, and a printout of their Facebook profiles.…”