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Tiantian Yang

University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School

Looking the Part? How Attire and Race Shape Employer Hiring Decisions in a Low-Wage Labor Market

Date: Friday September 27, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM -12:00 PM
Location: Armstrong Building, Room 155A

All are cordially invited to attend.

Abstract:

Racial disparities in employment remain a key driver of economic inequality in the U.S., with recent shifts in low-wage labor markets introducing new barriers for Black job seekers. As these markets increasingly prioritize soft skills and rapid, large-scale screening, Black applicants are often judged unfavorably based on superficial cues, particularly attire. Existing research indicates that such judgments reinforce racial stereotypes, further limiting job opportunities for Black candidates. However, the exact role that employer perceptions of attire play in hiring decisions and the degree to which this effect varies by race has not been thoroughly examined. This study leverages a unique dataset from a mobile gig- staffing platform, encompassing over 300,000 job applications and corresponding profile photos, to examine how perceptions of attire influence hiring outcomes. By using machine learning and computer vision tools, we assess the perceived professionalism of candidates’ attire and investigate how these judgments affect hiring decisions, considering both race and job type. To isolate the impact of attire, we employ an experimental design in which the same candidate is presented in both professional and casual clothing. Our findings reveal that employer evaluations of attire significantly shape hiring decisions, with substantial racial disparities in outcomes between Black and White candidates. In low-wage labor markets, where efficiency in screening is critical, these subtle biases become amplified, exacerbating long-standing racial disparities and limiting economic mobility for Black workers.