AI screening can add a second layer of risk. Your shortlist may reflect automated filtering you did not fully test, and your diversity data may reflect that output.
European Economic Review, 151, 2023, Lippens et al. · ICO, AI tools used in recruitment, 2024A 4.5-point employment gap exists before shortlisting even begins. If your outreach relies only on standard channels, you may miss qualified candidates already looking for work..
ONS Labour market status by ethnic group, UK, released 11 November 2025.You cannot retrospectively prove inclusive sourcing if the algorithm screened the pool first.
Posting on Ethnic Jobsite helps create a dated, vacancy level record showing your organisation took active steps to reach candidates from groups that algorithmic tools may disadvantage. That record exists before shortlisting begins.
Under the Equality Act 2010 and, for public bodies, the Public Sector Equality Duty, employers may need to show how they supported equality of opportunity in practice. A specialist channel placement gives them clearer, role specific evidence that targeted outreach took place before shortlisting.