Effect of Female-Linked Job Titles on Job Evaluation Ratings

Abstract

In this study an experiment was performed to test whether sex role stereotyping evoked through female-linked job titles might influence job evaluation ratings. One hundred and ten subjects who had received training in job evaluation procedures rated two jobs on nine factors commonly used in job evaluation plans. For one half of the subjects the job titles for the two jobs were changed to reflect a female sex linkage. The results indicate that one of the two jobs with a femalelinked job title received 5.6% fewer total points. A key finding was that, in comparison to the sex-linkage effects, a large proportion of variance in ratings reflected between job differences. Where bias occurred, however, it appeared to be based on job contentfactors (effort and responsibility required) rather than skill or human capital (education and experience)factors. Potential implications for managers as well as limitations of the research are discussed. Suggestions for future research are also noted.