Typically, when companies are on the search for talented candidates, one variable that is assessed is the job applicant’s ‘fit’ with the organizational culture. Culture fit can be thought of as how congruent an individual’s values are with the organization. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), hiring an employee that does not fit the company’s culture can cost the company 50-60% of that individual’s annual salary. There is little debate regarding the importance of culture fit, however improper procedures for assessing culture fit can lead to bias and discrimination. According to Patty McCord, who served as the chief talent officer at Netflix from 1998-2012, focusing on culture fit during the hiring process can lead to a lack of diversity because organizational leaders often feel like those who fit the culture best are individuals who are similar to them.
Read full article: How To Avoid Discrimination When Assessing Culture Fit