Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace
An essential resource for anyone committed to fostering equality and fairness in employment—with actionable proposals for public policy that can address these inequities.

In a world where discrimination against minorities remains a pressing issue even in economically and socially advanced countries, Invisible Barriers delves into the multifaceted nature of this pervasive problem. Drawing on extensive research from economics, management, psychology, and sociology, Stéphane Carcillo and Marie-Anne Valfort present a comprehensive examination of discriminatory practices in employment and their profound social and economic impacts.

The first part of the book methodically explores the forms, sources, and consequences of discrimination in the labor market, offering readers a solid understanding of the approaches used to measure and identify discriminatory practices. In the second part, the book details research findings on specific groups, illustrating how discrimination manifests uniquely across different demographics: women, ethnic minorities, older workers, LGBTIQ+, and more. From recruitment biases to career advancement hurdles, the book sheds light on the varied and often hidden ways that discrimination operates. Finally, the authors discuss public policies aimed at mitigating discrimination, advocating for a multifaceted approach that combines punitive measures with incentives, educational programs, and communication campaigns to effectively combat biases, prejudices, and stereotypes.
1146224572
Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace
An essential resource for anyone committed to fostering equality and fairness in employment—with actionable proposals for public policy that can address these inequities.

In a world where discrimination against minorities remains a pressing issue even in economically and socially advanced countries, Invisible Barriers delves into the multifaceted nature of this pervasive problem. Drawing on extensive research from economics, management, psychology, and sociology, Stéphane Carcillo and Marie-Anne Valfort present a comprehensive examination of discriminatory practices in employment and their profound social and economic impacts.

The first part of the book methodically explores the forms, sources, and consequences of discrimination in the labor market, offering readers a solid understanding of the approaches used to measure and identify discriminatory practices. In the second part, the book details research findings on specific groups, illustrating how discrimination manifests uniquely across different demographics: women, ethnic minorities, older workers, LGBTIQ+, and more. From recruitment biases to career advancement hurdles, the book sheds light on the varied and often hidden ways that discrimination operates. Finally, the authors discuss public policies aimed at mitigating discrimination, advocating for a multifaceted approach that combines punitive measures with incentives, educational programs, and communication campaigns to effectively combat biases, prejudices, and stereotypes.
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Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace

Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace

Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace

Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace

eBook

$38.99 

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Overview

An essential resource for anyone committed to fostering equality and fairness in employment—with actionable proposals for public policy that can address these inequities.

In a world where discrimination against minorities remains a pressing issue even in economically and socially advanced countries, Invisible Barriers delves into the multifaceted nature of this pervasive problem. Drawing on extensive research from economics, management, psychology, and sociology, Stéphane Carcillo and Marie-Anne Valfort present a comprehensive examination of discriminatory practices in employment and their profound social and economic impacts.

The first part of the book methodically explores the forms, sources, and consequences of discrimination in the labor market, offering readers a solid understanding of the approaches used to measure and identify discriminatory practices. In the second part, the book details research findings on specific groups, illustrating how discrimination manifests uniquely across different demographics: women, ethnic minorities, older workers, LGBTIQ+, and more. From recruitment biases to career advancement hurdles, the book sheds light on the varied and often hidden ways that discrimination operates. Finally, the authors discuss public policies aimed at mitigating discrimination, advocating for a multifaceted approach that combines punitive measures with incentives, educational programs, and communication campaigns to effectively combat biases, prejudices, and stereotypes.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780262382687
Publisher: MIT Press
Publication date: 05/27/2025
Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format: eBook
Pages: 302
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Stéphane Carcillo is an economist and Associate Professor and Researcher at Sciences Po (Paris), specializing in labor market developments and policies. He is the coauthor of the graduate textbook Labor Economics (MIT Press) and a member of the Advisory Committee on Discrimination at the French Ombudsman.

Marie-Anne Valfort is an economist and Associate Professor at the Paris School of Economics, specializing in research on discrimination across a broad spectrum. She is the coauthor of the 2016 book Why Muslim Integration Fails in Christian-Heritage Societies (Harvard University Press). In 2022, she received the LGBT+ Role Model Ally Award by L’Autre Cercle, the leading French NGO advocating for LGBTIQ+ inclusion in workplaces.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Concepts and methods
Chapter 1: What is labor market discrimination?
Chapter 2: Why fight discrimination?
Chapter 3: The challenge of identifying discrimination with representative surveys
Chapter 4: Measuring discrimination with experiments
Part 2. The evidence on discrimination
Chapter 5: Gender equality: A difficult battle to win
Chapter 6: The effects of race, ethnicity, and religion
Chapter 7: The burdens of age
Chapter 8. The advantages conferred by beauty
Chapter 9. Sexual orientation and gender identity: just private matters with no bearing on the labor market?
Part 3. Combating Discrimination
Chapter 10: The limits of anti-discrimination legislation
Chapter 11. Beyond anti-discrimination legislation
Chapter 12. Ensuring equal opportunities upstream of the labor market
Conclusion
Acknowledgements

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“We want to believe that prejudice and discrimination are outdated relics. This eye-opening book on inequality shows that they live on. Fortunately, the authors also present ideas that will get us much closer to a fair society.”
—M. V. Lee Badgett, Koppa - The LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab; author of The Economic Case for LGBT Equality

“This comprehensive piece rigorously critiques the vast literature studying labor market discrimination. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in understanding this widespread and pressing societal issue.”
—Aislinn Bohren, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Pennsylvania

“A comprehensive review of what we know. Offering the best discussion of what discrimination is, and how it arises and persists, it also includes a superb evaluation of a vast worldwide array of novel policies.”
—Daniel S. Hammermesh, Sue Killam Professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin

“A comprehensive cross-disciplinary exploration of labor market discrimination with suggestions for evidence-based strategies, this book is a must-read for researchers, policymakers, and employers.”
—Joanna Lahey, Professor, Texas A&M University, Research Associate, NBER

“Carcillo and Valfort thoroughly review the literature on labor market discrimination, address this literature’s limitations, and provide a thoughtful analysis of possible remedies. Both experts and novices will benefit from reading their analysis.”
—Kevin Lang, Laurence A. Bloom Professor of Economics, Boston University; author of Poverty and Discrimination

“This sweeping book on labor market discrimination goes well beyond the evidence, also providing thoughtful material on the normative arguments for fighting discrimination and thinking beyond the usual array of antidiscrimination policies. A great read.”
—David Neumark, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Center for Population, Inequality, and Policy, University of California–Irvine

“A thought-provoking exploration of workplace discrimination, blending data, research, and actionable insights. This book is an essential guide for leaders, policymakers, and advocates committed to fostering true equality in the labor market.”
—Markus Brauer, Professor, School of Psychology, and Executive Director, Institute for Diversity Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison

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