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PA Enterprise
What is Unconscious Bias?
Unconscious bias occurs when people favour others who look like them and/
or share their values. For example a person may be drawn to someone with
a similar educational background, from the same area, or who is the same
colour or ethnicity as them.
A manager who wasn’t successful at school workforce. Employers can overlook talented
may listen to, or be supportive of, an employee workers and instead favour those who share their
who left school without qualifications because, own characteristics or views.
subconsciously, they are reminded of their Where unconscious bias is against a protected
younger self. The same can be true of a manager characteristic, it can be discriminatory. For
who is educated to degree level, favouring example if during a recruitment process an
employees who have also been to university. This employer ignores the skills and experience of a
is known as affinity bias, because they feel an candidate who is a different race than them and
affinity with the person as they have similar life appoints another candidate who is the same race,
experiences.
this could be discriminatory.
Another form of unconscious bias is known as Conscious thoughts are controlled and well
the halo effect. This is where a positive trait is reasoned. Unconscious thoughts can be based
transferred onto a person without anything really on stereotypes and prejudices that we may not
being known about that person. For example even realise we have. Stereotypes surrounding
those who dress conservatively are often seen tattoos may subconsciously suggest a person is
as more capable in an office environment, based unlikely to conform and follow rules. Stereotypes
purely on their attire. surrounding mothers may lead to unconscious
Behaviour which reinforces the bias is noticed bias against women who apply for a role which
whilst behaviour which does not is ignored. This involves regular travel away from home.
is how decisions based on unconscious bias are Stress or tiredness may increase the likelihood of
justified. decisions based on unconscious bias.
Everyone has unconscious biases. The brain
receives information all the time from our own How to overcome unconscious bias
experiences and what we read, hear or see in the • Be aware of unconscious bias.
media and from others. The brain uses shortcuts
to speed up decision making and unconscious • Don’t rush decisions rather take your time and
bias is a by-product. There are times when consider issues properly.
this sort of quick decision making is useful, for • Justify decisions by evidence and record the
example if faced with a dangerous situation, reasons for your decisions, for example during a
however it is not a good way to make decisions recruitment exercise.
when dealing with recruiting or promoting staff. • Try to work with a wider range of people and
Unconscious bias at work can influence decisions get to know them as individuals. This could
in recruitment, promotion, staff development include working with different teams or
and recognition and can lead to a less diverse colleagues based in a different location.
PA Enterprise is published by
10 December 2020/January 2021
