According to a new study from Carnegie Mellon University, employers may be using their social media research of potential applicants to discriminate. Using fake profiles on popular social networking sites, the researchers found that Muslim applicants were less likely to be called back for an interview than applicants with a profile suggesting they were Christian. The findings demonstrate the dangers for employers of consulting sources like Facebook and the potential for relying upon illegal information like religion when making a hiring decision. Even seemingly innocuous information – a quote from a specific religious text, for example – could lead employers to consider off-limit topics like religion and open themselves to liability. Disclosures about sexuality had no impact on early interest from employers, the study found.
