Affinity Bias

Meaning & Definition

Affinity bias is an automatic preference for or favouring of people with similar backgrounds, interests, beliefs, or experiences. In the workplace, affinity bias affects hiring, promotion, performance assessment, and interaction within teams. Many times, affinity bias occurs without realising it and impacts the certainty of fairness and diversity of decision-making.

Important aspect of Affinity bias

• Assists HR in identifying an organization’s unconscious biases during hiring and other talent acquisition processes.
• Enables fairer hiring and promotion processes.
• Enhances Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• Increases objectivity throughout the performance management process.
• Reduces the possibility of observed injustice and employee dissatisfaction.

Compliance & Policy Considerations

This term does not have an associated requirement in law. 

Affinity bias is addressed mainly by; 

• Equal opportunity 
• Non-Discrimination policies, Bias awareness 
• DEI training programs Structured and objective hiring and evaluation processes.

Employers should take steps to track and reduce bias in all workplace personnel decisions.

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