Measuring Labor Market Discrimination against LGTBQ+ in the Case of Ecuador: A Field Experiment

Hugo Hernández, Gabriel Quiroz, Omar Zambrano and Wladimir Zanoni

No 12977, IDB Publications (Working Papers) from Inter-American Development Bank

Abstract: This paper presents the findings of an artifactual field experiment conducted in urban Ecuador to investigate discrimination against LGBTQ (here restricted to individuals self-identified as gay or lesbian) job seekers in the labor market. Focusing on occupations and sectors where LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ individuals commonly apply, the study employed fictitious job applications evaluated by 394 human resource analysts. The results indicate that, on average, LGBTQ candidates did not face discrimination in terms of hiring recommendations, job fit assessments, or wage offers. However, a closer analysis reveals a gender-based differential treatment. Female LGBTQ candidates received positive discrimination, were more likely to be selected and offered higher wages compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In contrast, male LGBTQ candidates experienced negative discrimination and no wage differences with a lower likelihood of selection. The study found an influential role of female recruiters in driving these discriminatory behaviors. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics of discrimination towards LGBTQ workers in the labor market and its interaction with gender.

Keywords: discrimination; LGBTQ+; Employment; field experiments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C9 J15 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp, nep-gen and nep-hrm
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:idb:brikps:12977

DOI: 10.18235/0005026

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