Customer Prejudice & Salience: The Effect of the 2016 Election on Employment Discrimination

Abstract

We examine if employment discrimination increased after the 2016 election. We submitted fictitious applications to publicly advertised positions using resumes that are manipulated on perceived race and ethnicity (Somali American, African American, and white American). Prior to the 2016 election, employers contacted Somali American applicants slightly less than white applicants but more than African American applicants. After the election, the difference between white and Somali American applicants increased by 10 percentage points. The increased discrimination predominantly occurred in occupations involving interaction with customers. We use 2017 as a placebo election; there was no increase in discrimination after the 2017 election.