Last week I responded to a reader who wanted to avoid hiring someone with sympathetic views about white supremacy, without coming right out during an interview and asking “are you a racist?
I suggested asking more indirect questions such as:
“Without getting political , What do you think about race issues in the country right now?”
“What do you think we can do to would improve race relations?”
I also pointed out an important distinction between being an ordinary, sometimes unconscious racist and being white supremacist. The first, employers can manage through training for self-awareness of our unconscious biases. White supremacists on the other hand, believe the white race is superior, other races are inferior and harbor hostility and grievances which can result t in a toxic/hostile work environment. No amount of training is going to fix that.
So, which interview questions can help differentiate an “unconscious racist” from a white supremacist?
Here are some reader ideas:
- When you hear the term “diversity in the workplace” what comes to mind?
If they describe “A workplace with people from different places, background, ages, genders and points of view”, it tells me they have a broader view of “diversity” beyond just race. That’s good.
If they respond “a workplace with Whites, Blacks and Hispanics”, that’s not bad, but it’s a more limited view. See the difference?
- “What are the pros and cons of a diverse workplace?”
The ideal answer might sound like: “ When everyone is similar, there’s probably less friction and everyone gets along. But there’s less innovation and creativity due to the sameness. When you have a diverse group, there may be more disagreement and discussion. But there’s also more potential for new solutions and novel ideas.” If you only hear negatives, or if the positives sound phony , it might be a flag.
These last two are more general. Answers can reveal someone’s honesty, tolerance, and self-awareness.
- “Tell me about when you were uncomfortable working with someone different than yourself.”
- “Not including members of your personal circle, who are your role models and why?
Hope these help. Thank you readers for your responses!
©Copyright Eva Del Rio
Eva Del Rio is creator of HR Box™ – tools for small businesses and startups. Send questions to Eva@evadelrio.com
