PUBLISHED May 29, 2023

by Talita Holzer

6 min read time

Thriving in Ireland's Multicultural Society: Embracing Ethnic Diversity in the Workplace

embracing-ethnic-diversity-in-the-workplace embracing-ethnic-diversity-in-the-workplace

Thanks to the Open Doors Initiative, some of society's most marginalised people have possibilities. Open Doors builds employment pathways through training, education, employment, and entrepreneurship for refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers as well as people from a Traveller or Roma background, LGBTIQ+, those with a criminal record, and any intersectionality. These groups in Ireland currently experience more obstacles to work than most others. Many people are laid off even in recent periods of practically full employment.

 

In Ireland, with almost 1 in 7 people born outside of the country, ethnic diversity has become an essential aspect of the workplace. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers come to Ireland with diverse skills, experience, and educational attainments. As a result, employers already see the benefits of ethnic diversity in the workplace and are more conscious of building and maintaining an inclusive working culture.

 

Benefits of Embracing Ethnic Diversity in the Workplace

 

Numerous studies highlight the positive outcomes of embracing equality and cultural diversity in the workplace:

  • Financial returns: companies with more racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have better financial returns. In the US, for every 10 per cent increase in racial and ethnic diversity in leadership, earnings rose 0.8%.
  • Innovation: companies that are more diverse and inclusive are six times more likely to be innovative and agile as well. Having a diverse workforce means your business is more likely to appeal to a broader customer base on the outside and have a richer source of creativity on the inside.
  • Turnover: employees who feel valued for their individuality and unique contribution are likelier to stay on for longer, resulting in 22% lower turnover rates.

 

Overcoming Ethnic Diversity Challenges

 

Ethnic diversity encompasses various backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. These differences should not only be preserved but celebrated in the workplace. However, there is widespread research indicating patterns of where underrepresented groups are more likely to be ignored, overlooked, and undervalued in the workplace as they face additional challenges that organisations must address proactively:

 

  • Discrimination: In 2022, a report by the Irish Network Against Racism showed that 99 racist incidents were reported in the workplace, up from 17 in 2021. Research by the European Union Agencies for Fundamental Rights found that when it comes to racist incidents in the workplace, Ireland ranked as one of the worst Europe-wide, with a rate of 33%, compared to an average of 24%.

 

  • Cultural differences: Different communication styles can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies. What is considered polite or rude varies greatly depending on your culture. For example, directedness can be perceived as rudeness in Ireland, mainly if the person provides negative feedback. However, in many other countries, providing constructive feedback directly without ‘beating around the bush’ is the norm.

 

  • Career gaps and local experience: Particularly relevant to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, who will likely have one or more career gaps in their CV due to moving to Ireland. This might be due to needing time to improve their English, adapting to their new lives after fleeing conflict, being moved around from emergency accommodations, or endless other reasons. In addition, employers in Ireland will often ask for Irish references and qualifications, which makes finding that first employment opportunity even more difficult.

 

Benefits of Ethnic Diversity in the Workplace - Embracing Ethnic Diversity

 

Cultural Humility as a Framework for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

 

Creating an inclusive environment that addresses these challenges and embraces ethnic diversity requires intentional efforts. First proposed within the medical and nursing fields, Cultural Humility is a framework that challenges us to continually explore our social location and how our identities shape beliefs regarding what is “normal” or “right”. It is rooted in three pillars:

 

First, being brave enough to recognise and challenge power imbalances. This framework encourages you to fix those power imbalances and to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others.

 

Second, being humble enough to pursue lifelong learning, curiosity, and critical self-reflection. This means recognising that you do not and cannot fully understand someone else’s experience. You do not know how often they experience bias or what else they may carry about their identity.

 

And third, being dedicated enough to advocate for institutional accountability based on what you learn. Cultural Humility should not be limited to application on an individual basis but should occur at the organisational level as well.

 

Benefits of Ethnic Diversity in the Workplace

 

Practical Steps Towards Equality, Inclusive, and Diversity in the Workplace

 

Consider the following questions: Do some people modify their behaviour, way of speaking, and how they interact with others? Are there people from other ethnicities in the office? Do they express their culture, beliefs, and practices openly to their colleagues? Does my company wish everyone Happy Easter, but nothing is done for other religions like Muslim and Jewish celebrations?

 

Depending on your answers, you might want to start with one of the following strategies for achieving and embracing ethnic diversity and inclusion:

 

  • Recruiting and Hiring Practices: If you do not see ethnic diversity within all levels of your company (including leadership), then revising recruitment strategies can be your first step. You can make minimal changes to your processes to attract more diverse candidates – rewriting your job descriptions, implementing blind resume screening, and establishing partnerships with non-profit organisations that focus on diverse talent pipelines are just a few examples.

 

  • Cultural Awareness Training: If your company has an ethnically and racially diverse workforce, but particular groups must adapt more than others when they come to work, then cultural awareness training can help foster understanding and appreciation of different ethnicities and cultures. This training can help employees develop the skills to work effectively across diverse teams.

 

  • Mentorship Programs: Implementing mentorship initiatives can help employees from diverse backgrounds who struggle to adapt to a new culture, face discrimination, or be held back due to bias and ingrained organisational cultures. Pairing them with experienced professionals who can offer guidance, support, and advocacy can help them overcome some of these challenges.

 

Embracing Ethnic Diversity in the Workplace

 

By recognising the value of ethnic diversity and implementing inclusive practices, employers can unlock numerous benefits, such as improved financial returns, increased innovation, and reduced turnover rates. However, it is essential to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups. By adopting the framework of Cultural Humility and implementing practical strategies, organisations can create genuinely inclusive workplaces where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered.

 

Talita Holzer - Program Manager at The Open Doors Initiative

 

Connect with Talita to learn more about her work with Pathways to Progress and The Open Doors Initiative.

If you want to hear more about embracing ethnic diversity and inclusion, visit Pathways to Progress or email info@pathwaystoprogress.ie.

 

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At Codex, we believe diversity is morally necessary and advantageous to our company's bottom line. To promote a culture of diversity and inclusion, we have implemented several initiatives and projects. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, the GPTW team is actively creating a legacy for Codex and the communities in which we live. We constantly work to enhance the office environment and significantly impact the lives of those around us.

We frequently conduct training sessions and workshops to promote cultural sensitivity and awareness. Our recruiting procedures are fair and impartial, and our recruitment process is meant to draw in and keep diverse individuals. We value diversity in all its manifestations and are dedicated to establishing a warm, equal, and inclusive workplace that supports all our employees.

 

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