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Review Job Postings for Bias and Exclusionary Words

by Dave Nerz

Recruiters need to be the instruments of change as it relates to employer position/job postings.  If your employers have not yet done so, you need to suggest that hiring documents be examined to remove exclusionary words and language.

The trouble with documents like these is, sometimes, when employers try to make the document more “folksy or salesy” boundaries are crossed. Their efforts are intended to make the job and the company feel fun and approachable, but the language used can be exclusionary. The chart below will show you some real-life examples of words pulled out of job postings and advertisements in the recent past.

If job descriptions have not been rewritten in the last 5 years, they almost certainly contain some exclusionary language. For example, “he/she” should be updated to “they/you” and words like “typing” should be replaced with “inputting.” Think through the audiences that need to be engaged to ensure the position being offered as viewed as inclusive. Avoid bias that will make any candidate or audience question your client company’s commitment to inclusion.

Since job descriptions are often the foundation piece used to create job advertisements, it is important to have well managed and updated foundational documents.

Just reading the list below got me thinking about how well is my everyday email in alignment with my intention to be inclusive and non-biased. Awareness is needed before corrective action or improvement can occur. Take a week to examine words, phrases and language you are using. You may have some opportunity for improvement, I do!

Exclusionary Words Bias Category Inclusive Replacements
a cakewalk race an easy task
bend physical disability lower oneself
blacklist/blacklists race blocklist, denylist
brownbag session race lunch and learn, learning session
climb/climbing physical disability scale/scaling, move up/moving up
criminal background check former felons background check
culture fit race culture add
digital native age passionate about technology
English native speaker race fluent in English
degree from a top school elitism a degree
he/she LGBTQ+ they/you
his/her LGBTQ+ their/your
lift/lifting physical disability move/moving, hold/holding
maternity/paternity leave LGBTQ+ parental leave, parental time off
new graduate / recent graduate age a graduate
sanity check mental health review, audit, double-check
servant leadership race growth leadership, supportive leadership
sit/sitting physical disability be stationary/being stationary
stand/standing physical disability be upright/stationary, being upright/stationary
the men and women LGBTQ+ the team, the people
tribe race team, network
typing physical disability inputting, entering
walk/walking physical disability move/moving, traverse/traversing
walkthroughs physical disability final checks
Tags: job descriptions | Posted in: Global Recruiting

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