Le mérite : un rempart contre les discriminations ?

We examine if a positive item signaling the level of productivity for a young job applicant can reduce the discriminations based on origin. We use a correspondence test which consists in elaborating fictitious applicants who answer job offers and whose application differs in only one characteristic. In 2011, we sent fictitious applications to firms in Paris area. Firstly, we verify that signaling the job-award « One of the best apprentices in France » increases the probability of a young applicant for being contacted by an employeer who offers plumber or waiter jobs. Secondly, we compare the effect of that job-award for two applications, one for a young french native applicant and the other one for a french applicant whose name suggests the Maghrebian origin, for three professions in the building sector : masons, plumbers and electricians. The results show that a job-award increases the success rate for an applicant whatever the origin, but this positive effect is higher for the french applicant. For permanent jobs, the applicant with a Maghrebian origin and a jobaward has the same probability to be invited in an interview than the french applicant without this award. This result suggests that there is a discrimination à la Becker.