In Episode 2 of The Badger the Recruiters Podcast, Tracy and I take on a topic that shows up in hiring far more often than we like to admit: Bias.
Bias in recruitment isn’t always loud or obvious. Most of the time, it’s subtle. It lives in assumptions, habits, offhand comments, and “gut feelings” that don’t get questioned. In this episode, we talk honestly about the different forms bias can take, especially unconscious bias, and how easily it can creep into job adverts, screening decisions, interviews, and even post-hire conversations.
One thing we kept coming back to is this idea: being biased is human. None of us are immune. But being human doesn’t mean we get a free pass. Awareness is the first step, and trying to do better genuinely matters.
A big part of the conversation focuses on candidate experience, because bias doesn’t just affect who gets hired. It shapes how candidates feel throughout the process. We explore how small moments, the tone of an interview, the questions asked, the assumptions made, can leave a lasting impression. Sometimes candidates walk away not because they weren’t right for the role, but because the process didn’t feel fair, welcoming, or respectful.
We also dig into the role hiring managers play. From creating a comfortable interview environment to challenging bias-related comments when they arise, the responsibility doesn’t stop with the people function. “Nip it in the bud early" - as Tracy said during the conversation, because letting things slide is often how bias becomes embedded in teams and cultures.
Education and training feature heavily in this episode too. Not as a one-off tick-box exercise, but as something ongoing. We talk about how practical scenarios and real-world examples can help people recognise bias in action, and why continuous improvement in recruitment practices is essential if we want real change, not just good intentions.
There’s also a commercial reality to all of this. Hiring mistakes are expensive. Poor candidate experiences damage employer brand. Bias doesn’t just cost people opportunities, it costs businesses revenue, time, and trust. Empathy, fairness, and inclusion aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re fundamental to better hiring outcomes.
We started this podcast to create space for honest conversations about recruitment, and this episode really leans into that. No perfection. No preaching. Just real talk about what’s happening, why it matters, and what we can all start doing differently.
If you’re a hiring manager, recruiter, or anyone involved in decision-making, we hope this episode gives you something to reflect on. Trying is the first step, and from there, progress is possible.
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