What is Recency Bias in the Workplace?

Recency bias, also known as recency effect, is a cognitive bias that causes people to place greater emphasis on more recent information. In the workplace, this means that an individual may be judged more favorably or unfavorably depending on how recently they have done something or performed a task. For example, if an employee just completed a difficult project last week, they might be rated higher than another employee who has been performing consistently well in their role but hasn’t had any major accomplishments recently.

This type of bias can lead to unfairness in evaluations and rely heavily on employees’ most recent performance rather than looking at their full history or potential. It can also lead to longer-term consequences for those affected by it: research shows that when employees experience recency bias in the workplace, they are 18% more likely to become disengaged and 48% more likely to leave their job.

Recency bias can also cause issues beyond individual performance: it can lead to problems in team dynamics, with newer members being favoured over those who have been around longer or experienced more successes. This can result in a lack of trust and collaboration among team members, leading to decreased productivity and revenue losses for an organization. Overcoming recency bias is an important part of creating a fair and equitable work environment. Managers should focus on fact-based analysis rather than subjective opinion when evaluating employees’ performances, looking at the entire history of accomplishments as well as potential future contributions. Developing policies to ensure fairness and transparency in all decision making is another way to reduce recency bias in the workplace. Additionally, providing regular training and workshops on diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias can help decrease instances of recency bias occurring.

Recency bias can have a damaging effect on an organization's performance, leading to distrust among colleagues, lower productivity, and decreased revenue for the company. By taking proactive steps such as implementing fair policies, conducting unbiased evaluations based on facts rather than opinion, and developing unconscious bias training programs, organizations can help reduce recency bias in the workplace. Doing so will lead to improved team dynamics, higher morale among employees, and ultimately greater success for the entire organization. Statistics show that companies who take steps to reduce recency bias can see an increase in profits of up to 35%. This is a clear indication of the value in taking proactive measures to ensure fair and unbiased decision-making. When it comes to creating a more equitable workplace, reducing recency bias should be a top priority for any organization. It’s essential that employers recognize the risks associated with recency bias and understand how to avoid its negative effects. By taking action now, organizations can create a healthier working environment for everyone involved.

That’s why it’s so important to be aware of what recency bias is and how it impacts decision-making in the workplace. It can be easy to make decisions based on recent experiences, but this type of thinking has far-reaching consequences that can ultimately damage an organization’s reputation. Understanding the risks associated with recency bias is key to making sure all decisions are made with the proper amount of consideration for all stakeholders. By taking proactive measures to reduce its effects, companies can ensure that their employees are valued and respected regardless of when they joined the orginization.

The recruiting sector is where the greatest impact of recent hiring can be observed. We now have technologies like EasySource that can help remove recency bias thanks to the development of AI and ChatGPT. EasySource is a Google Chrome extension that facilitates candidate outreach using LinkedIn and is priced for smaller businesses (it is also free for a finite number of credits). EasySource may assist you in personalizing your process with pre-made templates and is effective at finding highly relevant prospects using sophisticated filters, which can even absorb individuals who have US work authorization. Using ChatgPT and AI, you can also create highly tailored LinkedIn inmails, gmails, and LinkedIn invites. It is THE tool meant for recruiters and hirers