In the poll that was conducted by Gallup it shows that 30-31% of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) surveyed reported incidents of employment discrimination, the largest of any group with African Americans constituting the second largest at 26%. The report also indicate that AAPIs only filed about 2-3% of the total employment discrimination complaints received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against private employers. Due to the increase in the employment discrimination among the AAPIs this has affected them in the rental and home buying processing. In the study which was conducted by the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development, one in five AAPIs experience discrimination in the rental and home buying process. The AAPIs have suffered the largest percentage decline in homeownership of any racial group.
The incidents of violence and discrimination against members of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are on the rise nationwide, and the alarming trend is bleeding into the workplace. A report from STOP AAPI Hate indicate that from March 19, 2020, to March 31, 2021, the number of hate incidents it fielded increased seriously, from 3795 to 6603. The incidents which were reported included physical assault, civil rights violations for example workplace discrimination and online harassment.
A study that was done by IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) found that the U.S. work environment for Asian American professionals is uncomfortable challenging. A response from 1455 Asian American professionals from 22 industries who were surveyed by IBV between August 2020 and January 2021 differed strikingly from those of their white counterparts. The findings in the study showed that 80% of Asian American respondents have personally experienced discrimination based on ethnicity or race. Also in the study more than 60% feel they must work harder than non-Asian counterparts to succeed because of their identity.
According to IBM study, nearly half of all respondents’ point specifically to discrimination by their employer against Asian Americans. The figure is even higher among the most senior Asian American executives-an indication that the further they advance in their careers; the more obstacles they may face. The study from IBM outlined 10 actions that can be used by business and HR leaders to improve equity and inclusion for Asian Americans in the workplace. The recommendation includes intentionally building the leadership pipeline of Asian Americans, investing in training for all managers on identifying and reducing implicit bias, and engaging in regular dialogue with Asian American employees to support empathetic conversations around race, identity and micro aggressions.
“Systemic problems such as discrimination in the workplace require systemic changes and placing higher value in strengthening supportive relationships.” Suh says. “These important relationships take the form of not just mentors and sponsors, but also allies committed to building a better future that is more inclusive”
President Joe Biden has signed a bill into law that seeks to address the rise in hate crimes committed against Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the legislation received bipartisan support in Congress and has encouraged activists, experts insist there is much more to be done to combat anti-AAPI discrimination especially in the workplace. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act which was introduced by Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii mandates that the U.S. Department of justice appoint an officer or employee to expedite the review of hate crimes related to COVID-19. It also issues guidance for law enforcement to establish better online resources for reporting hate crimes and authorizes grants for state and local governments to improve their responses to hate crimes.
The Vice President Kamala Harris who is the first Asian-American to serve in that office has noted that the bill is not a solution and a lot of work has been left to be done.” Here’s the truth: Racism exists in America,” She said, “Xenophobia exists in America, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia-it all exists. And so, the work to address injustice wherever it exists remains the work ahead.”
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