Study shows job name bias in Sweden outside foreign-heavy sectors

Job seekers with foreign names face higher rejection rates in certain Swedish industries. A new study tested bias by sending out over 7,000 fake job applications. Researchers applied for 15 different types of jobs across Sweden. Some applications used typical Swedish names. Others used names from the former Yugoslavia or Arabic names from the Middle East.

The study found a clear difference between industries. Surnames did not affect response rates in sectors where many foreign-born people already work. However, employers in other sectors called back people with foreign names less often.

The news outlet The Local is now collecting reader experiences with job discrimination in Sweden. Readers can share their stories through an online survey. Responses may be published anonymously in a future article by The Local.