One in three people from ethnic minorities believe background is a barrier to finding a job
More than half of Irish Traveller respondents (59%) and Black or Black Irish-African respondents (50%) believe their ethnicity is a barrier to employment access in the country. File picture.
Almost one in three people from ethnic minority groups believe their background is a barrier to finding a job in Ireland, a report published on Wednesday said.
The report by Bank of Ireland with Morgan McKinley explores the specific barriers ethnic minority groups face in accessing employment and progressing in the Irish labour market, with some data points and practical recommendations for employers.
It found that 29% of respondents believed their ethnic background posed a barrier to accessing employment in Ireland. More than half of Irish Traveller respondents (59%) and Black or Black Irish-African respondents (50%) believe their ethnicity is a barrier to employment access in the country.
“We need people of different backgrounds and experiences bringing their diverse talents and perspectives to the workplace and the economy. That’s why we decided to commission this research, which considers if the 17% of people from ethnic minority groups face any unique challenges or arbitrary blockers when accessing or progressing in employment. The report unfortunately finds that they do, and this is bad for all of us," said Bank of Ireland chief people officer Matt Elliott.
“Better understanding of the challenges ethnic minority groups face in accessing and progressing within the workforce is good for those individuals, but is also commercially important for companies."
Around 63% of individuals from ethnic minority who have a postgraduate or master’s degree found difficulties finding a job in Ireland commensurate with their qualifications, the report found.
More than 2,700 individuals from 10 ethnic minority groups took part in the research, titled 'Fostering Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace'.
The main industry sectors in which respondents from abroad have come to Ireland to work are information technology (22%), financial services (15%), manufacturing (9%), healthcare (5%) and education (5%). Of this group, 32% required an employment permit.
The report's recommendations include taking steps to broaden the candidate base for roles, recognising international qualifications, revising hiring practices to eliminate bias, and providing clearer guidance on the employment permit process to help more employers navigate and utilise it effectively. It also recommends offering mentorship programmes to support career progression for underrepresented groups.
The report recommends that unconscious bias training be undertaken, with a specific focus on training in this area for hiring managers. It also recommends that organisations partner with community and advocacy groups to align with national policies for workforce inclusion and growth, and to foster inclusive workplace culture through leadership-driven initiatives.
