Which workers are more likely to be discriminated against? External job mobility predicts discrimination with regard to work

Abstract

While (prospective) workers sharing certain (perceived or ascribed) group affiliations and/or stigmas are more at risk of being discriminated against with regard to work, within these groups some individuals face more risk than others. Using Hirschman’s work on exit and voice as the theoretical backdrop, I propose that individuals’ external job mobility predicts the likelihood that they experience discrimination with regard to work. Empirically, I consider two key constituents of external job mobility: willingness to leave a bad job and employability. Results confirmed that both these constituents matter. A practical implication is that enhancing workers’ mobility may help reduce discrimination.