People with non-English names get almost half the call backs for job applications compared to those with English names. Research studies continue to find systemic racism still exists in the job market with qualified applicants often missing out because of their race or ethnicity. And some young people are resorting to altering their identity on paper to get a fair go.
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00:00 Nimash Pranapallige knows how to roll with the punches.
00:07 But when it came to finding a job after graduating, he says it's been an unfair fight.
00:13 He applied for over a hundred jobs, unsuccessfully until...
00:17 My full name is about 21 letters in total.
00:20 I just kind of like shortened it down to about eight letters.
00:23 Within a couple of weeks I was getting callbacks.
00:25 I guess it worked.
00:27 Ilham Musa had a similar experience, applying for hundreds of jobs over two years.
00:32 I probably only heard back from about three.
00:35 One of my friends actually mentioned that it could potentially be my name, that that
00:38 could be a hindrance.
00:39 A study from Monash Business found a 21.1% success rate for job applicants with English
00:45 names.
00:46 That figure drops to 11.6% for non-English names on written applications.
00:51 Studies from the Federal Education Department and Diversity Council this year back those
00:55 findings.
00:56 It's likely that there are race-based biases that are coming into play because someone
01:01 visually presents differently.
01:04 The Diversity Council, however, says employers are hurting themselves.
01:08 We know that organisations need diversity to become more innovative, to solve problems,
01:14 to be more creative, and the data is really, really clear.
01:19 Nimash eventually found work evaluating million-dollar properties.
01:23 He's decided to stick with his shortened name.
01:26 Ilham, on the other hand.
01:27 My name is my identity.
01:29 I shouldn't have to change it for any reason.
01:32 Everyone should be given a shot and you should only be tested on your capability.
01:37 Previous generations have fought this problem, and experts hope this data helps current and
01:42 future generations beat it.
01:44 (punching)
01:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]