Discrimination and Equality LawNames, Identity, and Discrimination ResearchMinority Rights and Languages

S. Fan, Neeraj Kaushal, Yu Pang

2026.5.10JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL SOCIOLOGY

DOI: 10.1080/0022250x.2026.2670303

Abstract

This paper explores how minority group size moderates the effect of employer prejudice on hiring discrimination. We propose a simple job search model in which prejudiced employers retain hiring discretion but are legally required to offer equal pay to all workers. Our analysis suggests that employers are more likely to exclude smaller minority groups from employment; however, as the minority population increases, employment discrimination diminishes and may even vanish. We further show that this result persists even when employer prejudice varies across firms and intensifies with minority group size.

Citation format

FAN, S.; KAUSHAL, Neeraj; PANG, Yu. A model of employment discrimination against minorities. JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL SOCIOLOGY, 2026: 1–17.