Invisible Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Discrimination in the Workplace

An essential resource for anyone committed to fostering equality and fairness in employment—with actionable proposals for public policy that can address these inequities.

In a world where discrimination against minorities remains a pressing issue even in economically and socially advanced countries, Invisible Barriers delves into the multifaceted nature of this pervasive problem. Drawing on extensive research from economics, management, psychology, and sociology, Stéphane Carcillo and Marie-Anne Valfort present a comprehensive examination of discriminatory practices in employment and their profound social and economic impacts.

The first part of the book methodically explores the forms, sources, and consequences of discrimination in the labor market, offering readers a solid understanding of the approaches used to measure and identify discriminatory practices. In the second part, the book details research findings on specific groups, illustrating how discrimination manifests uniquely across different demographics: women, ethnic minorities, older workers, LGBTIQ+, and more. From recruitment biases to career advancement hurdles, the book sheds light on the varied and often hidden ways that discrimination operates. Finally, the authors discuss public policies aimed at mitigating discrimination, advocating for a multifaceted approach that combines punitive measures with incentives, educational programs, and communication campaigns to effectively combat biases, prejudices, and stereotypes.

Stéphane Carcillo is an economist and Associate Professor and Researcher at Sciences Po (Paris), specializing in labor market developments and policies. He is the coauthor of the graduate textbook Labor Economics (MIT Press) and a member of the Advisory Committee on Discrimination at the French Ombudsman.

Marie-Anne Valfort is an economist and Associate Professor at the Paris School of Economics, specializing in research on discrimination across a broad spectrum. She is the coauthor of the 2016 book Why Muslim Integration Fails in Christian-Heritage Societies (Harvard University Press). In 2022, she received the LGBT+ Role Model Ally Award by L’Autre Cercle, the leading French NGO advocating for LGBTIQ+ inclusion in workplaces.