Anonymous Applications in Europe

Many European countries have launched anonymous application trial programmes over the recent years. The Dutch programme, tested in Nijmegen in 2008, was a subject of national discussion and compared anonymous CVs and application letters with ones detailing name and ethnic background. Belgium’s federal government has hired people via anonymous applications for about 6 years but the results have not yet been analysed. France is awaiting the results of a trial involving a number of government authorities and companies. Instead of waiting for legislation, some companies in France have taken initiative and decided to introduce anonymous applications themselves. Norsys, a leading technology company, says its introduction of anonymous applications has, in just four years, led to double the numbers of women and people from ethnic backgrounds within its workforce. In addition, Sweden, Great Britain and Switzerland have also debated and researched anonymous job applications, but have not introduced legislation to make it compulsory.Following suit with these efforts, top companies operating in Germany are to begin testing anonymous applications that remove any reference to ethnic background or other personal information irrelevant to job performance. Later this year, five groups including Procter & Gamble and L’Oreal will ask applicants to provide only their qualifications in job applications. “Anonymous applications help all recruitment and HR managers focus on the specifics and necessities of a position and objectively select the most qualified candidate regardless of migrational background or personal details,” said Diversity expert Michael Stuber. “Through this programme, interviewers and assessment centre personnel will have many ‘Aha!’-moments as the future will bring a significantly increased amount of diverse candidates through their doors.” In the current situation in Germany, job candidates of Turkish origin have a 14-percent slimmer chance of being invited to an interview. Not only immigrants but also people with disabilities and mothers of small children can benefit from the trial programme.