To Self Identify or not to Self Identify?

[anese]

Do you guys self-identify your race/gender on forms when HR requests it

Comments

[seekingzen]

I do, because my first name is very obviously female, and because my race in my area might spark interest or help me in an affirmative action sort of way. Not that it's happened yet. lol

[flying_canadian]

Isn't it a discrimination?

[chordoflife]

No.. it's not being used against you or to make a hiring decision. It's a common practice that most companies use to gain information about their demographic.

[wigglewhiz]

I do, but I'm irritatingly pedantic and often select "other" if there isn't a box that I feel properly defines me - that's particularly when they're asking "nationality" rather than "ethnicity", which is more obvious in my case.

Those forms should always be optional rather than required anyway - so if you're uncomfortable filling it in, don't.

[chordoflife]

I do.. it's not an issue to me. It's not used against you.

[seasoflove]

I usually never self-identify. i think it's smart to never risk it, especially as a minority, because i have a lot of knowledge about historically racist hiring practices (i'm a history major)