Wed, 6 Aug 2014Homosexual South Cypriot job applicants are considerably less likely to progress to the interview stage than their heterosexual candidates, according to a study.

Research by Anglia Ruskin University carried out with employers in the Southern, or Greek, part of Cyprus found that openly gay job applicants are 40% less likely to be offered a job interview compared to those who do not disclose their sexuality.

Dr Drydakis, senior lecturer in economics at Anglia Ruskin University, who conducted the study, said: “People who face biased treatment in the hiring process must spend more time and resources finding jobs, and at the same time firms are missing out on potential talent as a result of biased hiring.”

The job vacancies covered a range of work environments, including offices, industry, cafes, restaurants and shops, and over 9,000 applications were sent out. The only difference between the two versions of the CV was in the “interests” section, where one fictitious applicant had been a volunteer for an environmental charity while the other had been a member-volunteer in the Cypriot Homosexual Association.