Race/ethnic discrimination in hiring can be measured under controlled conditions using matched pairs of minority and nonminority research assistants posing as applicants for the same job. In 149 in-person job applications in the Washington, D.C., labor market, African American applicants were treated less favorably than equally qualified nonminorities more than one-fifth of the time. Employer behavior during these interactions suggest that, within continued public and private efforts against discrimination, particular attention should be accorded to the cognitive underpinnings of bias.

Anglos and Latinos posing as job seekers applied for 468 job vacancies advertised in the Washington, D.C. area. Latino applicants received less favorable treatment than equally qualified Anglos more than 20% of the time. Discrimination was particularly prevalent for males and for jobs located in the center city, not requiring a college degree, and not widely advertised.

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When times are uncertain, whether because of human actions or natural catastrophes, executives face challenges that can be managed best by advance planning and preparation. While September 11 was catastrophic, many other events have significant effects on businesses. The Northridge earthquake in Southern California in 1994 resulted in total business and residential insurance claims of $12.5 billion and an estimated total cost of almost twice that. Hurricane Andrew's insurance claims totaled $15.5 billion. And even a significant economic downturn causes sustained, if not direct physical, damage to businesses. Companies that prepare for uncertain times fare significantly better than those that do not.