A government agency cited a manufacturing company for discrimination since
55% of males applying for a position were hired, and only 42% of the female applicants were hired. The company responded that there were two types of positions open for application, assembly line and management, and that a higher percentage of women were hired at each position: 85% to 75% for the assembly line positions and 20% to 15% for the management positions. Explain what seems to be going on here.
is it maybe because maybe the data has a lurking variable that is the number of men and women applicants?

Question

A government agency cited a manufacturing company for discrimination since 
55% of males applying for a position were hired, and only 42% of the female applicants were hired. The company responded that there were two types of positions open for application, assembly line and management, and that a higher percentage of women were hired at each position: 85% to 75% for the assembly line positions and 20% to 15% for the management positions. Explain what seems to be going on here.
is it maybe because maybe the data has a lurking variable that is the number of men and women applicants?