Black candidates fear discriminatory dress codes

Nearly three in five candidates from BAME groups worry that their dress or hair style at job interviews will lead to discrimination, according to new research from equality and diversity social enterprise Creative Access.

A survey of 2,000 workers found that 59% of BAME respondents feared discrimination if they dressed or wore their hair “naturally”, while 27% felt pressure to change their hair for interviews, and 14% believed Afro or curly hair could hamper their career.

“This research shows how important it is for employers to provide clear guidance to candidates on all aspects of the recruitment process, including what to wear,” said Creative Access chief executive Bibi Hilton.