Ethnic minorities are being unfairly treated during recruitment processes, according to research from the Department for Work and Pensions.

A new study has shown that racial discrimination still exists in recruitment – for every nine applications sent by a white applicant, sixteen had to be sent by a person with an ethnic minority name to receive a positive response.

The study, by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), involved the sending of different applications of equal skill and competence – including one using a name that suggested they were from an ethnic minority group – to 987 advertised jobs.

On a positive note, all applications sent to public sector jobs – the vast majority of which used standard application forms – passed through the initial recruitment stage.

Jim Knight, Minister for Employment at Welfare Reform, said: “This research clearly shows that some employers are discriminating when it comes to choosing staff. This has no place in a modern society and racial discrimination cannot be allowed to continue.

“We are determined to stop this scourge on society – the Equality Bill will strengthen our hand and we are already preparing to publish specific plans for dealing with discrimination in the workplace later this year.”

Race for Opportunity (RFO) is a campaign to improve employment opportunities for ethnic minorities in the UK. Sandra Kerr, RFO’s National Campaign Director, commented on the study: “Race for Opportunity welcomes all research into the ethnic minority employment gap and, in particular, into the reasons why ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in the UK workforce.

“However, it is important that we work beyond the headlines, and concentrate on addressing the causes for this unfairness.”

If you feel you are being discriminated at work, you can use the Race Relations Act to take your employer to tribunal – contact the Equality & Human Rights Commission for advice and support.