In January 2003, the National Human Rights Commission began an investigation into discriminatory hiring practices at 38 companies (34 private companies, 4 public corporations) who have hired at least 50 people in 2002 through investigating employment application forms. The Commission requested that companies submit lists of removable questions that were irrelevant to skills or related job duties. As a result of the request, all 38 companies investigated submitted lists of irrelevant questions, with an average of 17.8 questions per list.
The result of the NHRC survey shows 3 companies (LG CNS, SK Construction, Dongyang Magic) deleted all discriminatory questions on their job applications, and Dongbu Securities deleted the most questions (33). Meanwhile, 4 out of 38 companies decided to delete question relating to educational background from the application form, which confirms that school is still an important factor for employment.
The NHRC is planning to expand its investigation to include job application forms, interview guidelines, questionnaires, etc. of major companies in 2003, based on the submitted materials from the 38 investigated companies. The Commission will take measures to prevent discriminatory hiring practices through collecting opinions from experts and companies.
The NHRC is expecting that companies will voluntary delete discriminatory questions, which will help rectify discriminatory hiring practices. The items that the 38 companies submitted for deletion are as follows:
1. Education
All 38 companies asked applicants to write down the name of the schools attended, and four companies (LG CNS, SK Construction, Dongyang Magic, Korea Land Corporation) deleted this question from their hiring process. Thirty-three out of 36 companies additionally deleted the question, “what city was your school located” from their hiring process. In addition, questions asking day or night school (21 companies) and main campus/branch school (11companies)’ were also deleted.
2. Family Background
Among the 34 companies who asked for names and educational background of family members, 33 deleted this question with the exception of Asiana Airlines. Additionally, questions about family members regarding last completed schooling(20 companies), name of school(17 companies), current place of employment(30 companies), job position(29 companies), living arrangements(27 companies), occupation(9 companies), place of residence(4 companies), marital status(1 company) and religion(1 company) were also deleted from applications.
3. Physical Appearance
Twenty-nine out of 31 companies asking about height and weight removed these questions from applications, with the exception of Korean Airlines(did not remove height) and Asiana Airlines(did not remove weight). Also, questions regarding eyesight (23 companies), blood types(22 companies), physical irregularities/sickness(11 companies), color-blindness(7 companies), and color weakness(2 companies) were taken off applications.
4. Disabilities
Seven companies asked about ‘physical disabilities,’ and of these 2 companies, KT and Korea Land Corporation, did not remove the question claiming they had a quota for hiring those with disabilities.
5. Disease
The two companies who asked about disease both removed the question from their applications.
6. Military Service
Thirty-two out of 34 companies asking about reasons for military service exemption removed it with the exception of Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines.
7. Religion
All 31 companies asking about religious belief deleted this category.
8. Marriage
All 10 companies asking about marital status removed the question.
9. Hometown
Questions on registered hometown(14 companies), main address of residence(1 company) were removed, and 6 out of 7 companies asking place of birth deleted the question with the exception of Hyundai Construction, which claimed they would give preference to those from the countryside.
10. Assets
All 9 companies asking about assets (property/real estate/monthly income) removed this question.
11. Upbringing/Background
All 26 companies asking for details of upbringing in self-introduction letters removed the stipulation.
12. Other
All companies removed the following discriminatory questions; family/sibling relationship(12 companies), status of residence(10 companies), are your parents alive?(6 companies), who supplied tuition or scholarship(6 companies), person who recommended you(5 companies), family monthly income(4 companies), friend/acquaintance within the company(4 companies), family/relatives within the company(1 company), details of relatives(1 company), relationship with classmates(1 company), family head/relationship(1 company), examination/certificate of qualification/preparation for employment(1 company), associations/clubs with membership(1 company), prizes received or penalties(1 company).
