Underrepresentation Of Minorities In The Workplace

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Research demonstrates that racism continues to be present in an individual’s everyday interactions. Racism is the unfair treatment and inequality of minority individuals by those who believe their race or ethnicity is superior (Mistry, & Latoo, 2009). Racism is a social issue that affects an individual physically and emotionally; it is predominantly experienced by minorities of Hispanic, African American, Asian, and other non-white descents. One approach of experienced racism is in the workplace. Emerson and Murphy (2014) explain, racial and ethnic minorities experience the American workplace differently than Whites, both economically and psychologically (p. 508). Today’s society no longer live in a generation where minorities are forced to …show more content…

“Like many other Blacks, when I find myself in a new public situation, I will count the number of blacks and brown faces present” (Emerson & Murphy, 2014, p. 509). Managers hire based on their similarities with the employee or applicant due to a better relationship and understanding among them. Management use homosocial reproduction to promote or hire individuals who they associate to themselves and will have a successful future in the company with their guidance (Elliot & Smith, 2004). Mangers tend to overlook minorities hard work and effort, thus causing them to lack motivation and hope for a promotion or raise. Not being recognized for their hard work causes feelings of indifference toward job duties. Minorities encounter treatment discrimination which is the restriction or limitation of resources and authority that hinders their job performance (Greenhaus, et al., 1990). This approach affects their motivation and commitment to the job, which causes poor evaluation, hence affecting their pay and any aspiration for promotion. Therefore, they experience anxiety regarding their career prospect. Minorities must work twice as hard to null negative stereotypes and prove their capability in the workplace, consequently causing emotional breakdowns (Emerson & Murphy, …show more content…

Facing this kind of behavior causes stress, feelings of insignificance, and ineffectual work operation. Minorities encounter different types of racism in the workplace: stereotype, discrimination, and bias (Flores & Matkin, 2014). The main barrier for a minority is stereotyping. Stereotyping a minority is the negative view of an ethnic group. Consequently, minorities engage in behaviors expected from them affecting their work capabilities and responsibilities. They start to limit their job efficiency, call off work or come in late, and do not volunteer for extra hours (Greenhaus, et al., 1990). Because of stereotypes employers view minorities in a negative perspective, influencing their judgement that affects minorities pay, and probability of employment. Employers employment or promotability decision is prompted by an individual’s gender and/or ethnicity (Smith, 2002). Non-minorities individuals discriminate by stereotyping minorities as a form of joke without thinking of the consequences of their action. This behavior is enforced for minorities want to be accepted, so they acknowledge this type of discrimination as socially tolerated (Flores, & Matkin, 2014). This type of emotional turmoil causes minorities to have low self-esteem and promotes self- hate. Minorities are anxious about being accepted, following the social norm, and ponder whether

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