(NEW YORK CITY) - The New York Times performance review system has for years given significantly lower ratings to Employees of Color, an analysis by Times journalists in the NewsGuild shows.

The analysis, which relied on data provided by the company on performance ratings for all Guild-represented Employees, found that in 2021, being Hispanic reduced the odds of receiving a high score by about 60%, and being Black cut the chances of high scores by nearly 50%. Asians were also less likely than White Employees to get high scores.

In 2020, zero Black Employees received the highest rating, while White Employees accounted for more than 90% of the roughly 50 people who received the top score.

The disparities have been statistically significant in every year for which the company provided data, according to the Journalists’ study, which was reviewed by several leading academic economists and statisticians, as well as performance evaluation experts.

Performance ratings have a direct impact on Employees’ paychecks and career opportunities. 

In 2021, the company used the scores in determining the size of Guild Members’ bonuses. 

Guild Members who believed their contributions weren’t fairly rated in the review process have said they feel demoralized and alienated - a pernicious outcome as The Times attempts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

Management has denied the discrepancies in the performance ratings for nearly two years, time it could have instead spent trying to make the system better for everyone, NewsGuild Officials said. 

The performance rating system has changed over time and the precise nature of the racial disparities has varied somewhat from year to year - but what has remained consistent is that White Guild Members, on average, receive higher ratings than their Colleagues of Color, they added.

These findings showed up under a variety of different methodological approaches, including those suggested by the company itself, the Union said.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: https://newsguild.org/study-reveals-racial-disparities-in-performance-evaluations-at-the-new-york-times/