As votes on the rights of EU citizens continue the struggle through parliament, and with studies reporting a worrying rise in racist and xenophobic behaviour in the UK, what happens if this translates to the workplace?
Almost 4 years have elapsed since the 2016 Brexit referendum, and during these trying times we’ve seen several studies emerge which highlight a rise in racist and xenophobic behaviour in the UK. Discrimination and abuse against migrants appears to have become increasingly overt, with one study finding that 71% of people from ethnic minorities in Britain experienced discrimination last year, up from 58% in 2016.
Discrimination on the basis of nationality can have a serious impact on a person’s life, both in and out of the workplace. For example, research led by Professor Anthony Heath from Nuffield College, Oxford, found that minority ethnic applicants have to send in around 60% more CVs just to get a job interview.
This is despite the fact that for many of today’s employees, being part of a socially and culturally diverse work environment is an essential part of their job. In a recent survey by Hays, 58% of professionals said they look for an organisation’s diversity and inclusion policies when researching a new employer. This was particularly important for younger professionals, with 65% of those aged 25 and under saying that this is a top priority.
Working with CABA, the wellbeing charity, we outline some of the key red flags you need to look out for, and give some suggestions on how employers and employees can prevent xenophobic behaviour from becoming an issue in the workplace.
Examples of xenophobic bullying in the workplace:
- Saying rude or hurtful things about another individual’s culture
- Mocking someone’s nationality, accent or culture
- Prejudice assumption and statements about a person based on their country of origin
- Excluding individuals from conversations or events because of their nationality
- Making comments both in the office or online which could be construed as hateful towards a country or nationality
- Trying to pass off hurtful comments about someone else’s culture as a ‘joke’
How to manage complaints of xenophobia in the workplace if you’re an employer:
Employees should be treated with respect and consideration at work. Employers have a legal responsibility to investigate and respond to complaints of xenophobia so that they can ensure all employees are being treated fairly.
With all this in mind, here are some key points on how to manage xenophobic behaviour in the workplace:
Have a zero-tolerance policy – make sure it’s known that there will be no tolerance for any xenophobic or discriminatory behaviour from employees and external clients
Provide support for affected staff – always investigate any complaints thoroughly and remain empathetic and respectful
Resolve the matter quickly and carefully – all parties need to feel comfortable to be in the work environment together and so it does not continue to be an issue
Create a safe space – this allows for an inclusive environment where individuals feel safe to raise any issues they may have which is essential. Feeling unable to voice these concerns creates a sense of vulnerability and isolation among those who may be suffering from discrimination. Making sure there is an environment where discussions can be had between leaders and their team members not only builds stronger bonds of trust, it also increases levels of understanding and communication
Employers should be mindful to manage cultural differences in the office. They should have a general understanding of religious and cultural differences and put measures in place to prevent any conflict surrounding issues which may arise.
What to do if you experience or witness xenophobic behaviour in the workplace as an employee:
Tackling discrimination and xenophobia in the workplace is crucial and understanding what to do and how to report it can help to prevent any further issues from developing.
Any form of discrimination can affect team morale and the atmosphere in the office, and the knock-on effect of this impacts everyone. Remember the process of reporting xenophobic bullying can be daunting, so checking in with colleagues to make sure they are feeling ok throughout the process is important. Be aware of how they’re feeling and offer support and show camaraderie.
If you feel that you’re suffering from any form of discrimination in the workplace you should report it immediately! Living in a multicultural society should be celebrated and everyone should be respected and treated fairly, as should their culture. The most important point to remember is that if you are experiencing any form of xenophobia, the problem is not you, and sharing the problem and reporting it will not only make you feel less targeted but will help diminish the chances of it happening to someone else.
