The Heterogeneous Effects of Workplace Gender Diversity Disclosures on Job Selection Decisions

75 Pages Posted: 17 Oct 2022 Last revised: 23 Aug 2023

See all articles by Lisa LaViers

Lisa LaViers

A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane

Jason Sandvik

Eller College of Management, University of Arizona

Date Written: August 23, 2023

Abstract

Many labor market participants claim to use workplace diversity statistics to help them assess their goodness-of-fit with firms, but it is unclear if these statistics actually influence their job selection decisions. We conduct a hypothetical choice experiment using workplace gender diversity disclosures to explore if and how such disclosures change job selection behaviors. We find that labor market participants prefer to accept offers from employers that disclose their gender diversity statistics over those that do not. We find that the average labor market participant prefers workplaces with less female representation, but they do value gender-equality focused charitable giving. We also find significant gender differences, as men, but not women, exhibit a negative preference towards increased female representation, whereas women, but not men, exhibit a positive preference towards gender-equality focused philanthropy. These findings shed light on how both voluntary and mandatory workplace gender diversity disclosures could affect the labor market.

Keywords: Job Search Decision, Human Capital, Disclosure Policy, Gender Diversity

Suggested Citation

LaViers, Lisa and Sandvik, Jason, The Heterogeneous Effects of Workplace Gender Diversity Disclosures on Job Selection Decisions (August 23, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4240155 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4240155

Lisa LaViers (Contact Author)

A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane ( email )

7 McAlister Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70118
United States
8656172944 (Phone)

Jason Sandvik

Eller College of Management, University of Arizona ( email )

McClelland Hall
P.O. Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721-0108
United States

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