It probably makes it easier for them to discriminate than without the video, but how is it directly more illegal under discrimination law than only hiring at in-person job fairs where you can see the same protected characteristics at the time of accepting a resume as can be seen in a video?
Regardless, yes, it’s bullshit and harmful to equity in hiring. I’m certainly not defending it.
Since we’re on a site run by YC, I should note that a version of the same “record a video” requirement is part of the standard YC application, with some of the same downsides for equitable venture capital investment decisions. Of course, a big difference is that venture capital investment decisions are entirely outside of the scope of discrimination law as currently enacted everywhere I know of, despite being very close in effect and power dynamics to hiring decisions in an employment context.
Regardless, yes, it’s bullshit and harmful to equity in hiring. I’m certainly not defending it.
Since we’re on a site run by YC, I should note that a version of the same “record a video” requirement is part of the standard YC application, with some of the same downsides for equitable venture capital investment decisions. Of course, a big difference is that venture capital investment decisions are entirely outside of the scope of discrimination law as currently enacted everywhere I know of, despite being very close in effect and power dynamics to hiring decisions in an employment context.