While Australia has come a long way when it comes to the experiences of First Nations peoples, there’s no denying that a lot of work still needs to be done—especially when it comes to the Indigenous experience in the workplace.
And while companies have long talked of their services to diversity, the aftermath of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter movement means it’s time employers do less talking, and create more action.
A new report from the UTS Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research and Diversity Council Australia, released this week, has shared its findings to Australian employers about the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
The report, Gari Yala, which means ‘speak the truth’ in the Wiradjuri language, is based on a survey of more than one thousand Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers across Australia and reveals some shocking realities about “experiences of racism, the lack of cultural safety and identity strain” experienced by Indigenous people across the country.
The findings revealed that Indigenous employees continue to experience significant workplace racism and exclusion and that racism is impacting wellbeing and job satisfaction. It also found 28 per cent of respondents work in what they deem “culturally unsafe” workplaces, while 38 per cent reported being treated unfairly because of their Indigenous background “sometimes, often or all the time.”
Shockingly, more than half of of the survey’s responders (59 per cent) claimed to have experienced ‘appearance racism’—receiving comments about the way they look or ‘should’ look as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
The findings also uncovered that, of those who had experienced racism in the workplace, only 1 in 3 had received support from their employer, and only 1 in 5 worked in organisations with both a racism complaint procedure and anti-discrimination compliance training that included references to Indigenous discrimination and harassment.
The report authors encouraged organisations to put plans in place to improve workplace inclusion for Indigenous staff, as well as providing a list of ways to either show support or how to seek help if you have experience racism at work.
Become an ally
Find out as much as you can about your local community and where you live.
Get involved in events, attend, ask questions, and “show support with an open heart.”
When people tell you that they’re Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, don’t question them. The report says, “It can be entirely appropriate for an Indigenous person to ask where another Indigenous person is from, though with an appreciation of the complexities of identifying.”
Recognise that cultural load exists, is real and is a burden. Recognise it in job descriptions and compensate it.
How to seek support
After any instance of racism that you have experienced, report it to the Australian Human Rights Commission online or call 1300 656 419.
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