Work

Is the school workforce biased against men?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Male applicants are evaluated less favourably than female applicants. • Gender bias decrease with seniority. • Gender stereotypes may impact hiring biases more strongly at entry-level positions. We test for gender discrimination in the School Workforce in England by asking teachers to evaluate fictitious applicants for three hypothetical positions in their school (Teaching Assistant, Classroom Teacher and Headteacher). We find that male applicants are evaluated less favourably than female applicants. The gender difference in evaluations decreases with seniority – for Headteacher roles male and female applicants are evaluated similarly. These findings suggest that minority groups can experience more discrimination for lower-level jobs.

Source: Economics Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112337

Author: Joshua Fullard

Institutions: University of Essex, University of Warwick

Language: English

Topic: Names, Identity, and Discrimination Research

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, Quality education, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,030