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How Refugees Experience the Australian Workplace: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Cain

    (School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Alison Daly

    (School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Alison Reid

    (School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence indicating poorer working conditions for migrant workers, particularly refugees, compared with native-born workers. Our objectives were to compare exposure to workplace psychosocial stressors in working refugees with other migrant groups and Australian-born workers of Caucasian ancestry and to describe the working experience of refugees. Cross-sectional surveys collected information on the workplace stressors of job complexity, control, security, bullying, and racial discrimination from six migrant groups (n = 1062) and Caucasian Australians (n = 1051); semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used with currently employed refugees (n = 30). Content analysis examined the qualitative data. Compared to all other groups, working refugees were more likely to report experiencing racial discrimination in the workplace and to report exposure to more than three hazards. Content analysis indicated that working refugees are working below their capacity, in terms of hours and qualifications, and in jobs that were low status and lacked security. Despite challenging work conditions, participants reported adequate health and safety training and feeling a sense of pride in their work. These findings highlight the need for better support for refugees in negotiating the workplace once they find employment and the importance of employers providing an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Cain & Alison Daly & Alison Reid, 2021. "How Refugees Experience the Australian Workplace: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4023-:d:534262
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison Daly & Renee N Carey & Ellie Darcey & HuiJun Chih & Anthony D LaMontagne & Allison Milner & Alison Reid, 2018. "Workplace psychosocial stressors experienced by migrant workers in Australia: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Basak Yanar & Agnieszka Kosny & Peter M. Smith, 2018. "Occupational Health and Safety Vulnerability of Recent Immigrants and Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Alison Daly & Renee N. Carey & Ellie Darcey & HuiJun Chih & Anthony D. LaMontagne & Allison Milner & Alison Reid, 2019. "Using Three Cross-Sectional Surveys to Compare Workplace Psychosocial Stressors and Associated Mental Health Status in Six Migrant Groups Working in Australia Compared with Australian-Born Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Stanislav Kolenikov, 2014. "Calibrating survey data using iterative proportional fitting (raking)," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 14(1), pages 22-59, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tina G Patel & Daiga KamerÄ de & Luke Carr, 2024. "Higher Rates of Bullying Reported by ‘White’ Males: Gender and Ethno-Racial Intersections and Bullying in the Workplace," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(2), pages 442-460, April.
    2. Patricia Cain & Alison Reid, 2021. "Working Hard and Pushing Through: A Thematic Analysis of Humanitarian Migrants’ Experiences in the Australian Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.

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