Temp agencies across America have been using coded words and phrases to discriminate against job applicants based on race and gender, which is illegal. The veiled language helped categorize workers and relay what certain clients wanted – or didn’t want.

Scroll through some of the terms reporter Will Evans uncovered when digging into this systemic discrimination. Can you guess what these code words meant?

Swipe left to see if you’re right.









Listen to the story

Or go here for more about America’s temp industry.

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Julia B. Chan worked at The Center for Investigative Reporting until June, 2017. Julia B. Chan is a producer and the digital editor for Reveal's national public radio program. She’s the voice of Reveal online and manages the production and curation of digital story assets that are sent to more than 200 stations across the country. Previously, Chan helped The Center for Investigative Reporting launch YouTube’s first investigative news channel, The I Files, and led engagement strategies – online and off – for multimedia projects. She oversaw communications, worked to better connect CIR’s work with a bigger audience and developed creative content and collaborations to garner conversation and impact.

Before joining CIR, Chan worked as a Web editor and reporter at the San Francisco Examiner. She managed the newspaper’s digital strategy and orchestrated its first foray into social media and online engagement. A rare San Francisco native, she studied broadcasting at San Francisco State University, focusing on audio production and recording. Chan is based in Reveal's Emeryville, California, office.