The Impact on Indigenous Employees
It is important to think about Psychological and Cultural Safety in the specific context of Indigenous employees. The safety of a workplace can affect Indigenous employees in unique ways, which we will explore now.
Thinking About Indigenous Employee Experiences
Indigenous workers often find themselves in work environments where discriminatory behaviours, including degrading comments, threats, intimidation, and even violence, pose significant threats to their mental health. Indigenous workers are particularly vulnerable to these behaviours due to historical trauma. The colonialist employment framework in Canada further exacerbates this issue, potentially leading to the exclusion or denial of employment opportunities for Indigenous individuals. Low cross-cultural considerations in the workplace contribute to exclusion and adversely affect mental health.
Furthermore, there are also systemic challenges faced by Indigenous people in Canada, including limited access to essential resources such as employment, education, housing, healthcare, and food. This inaccessibility to resources significantly impacts the quality of life and, subsequently, mental health. Historical displacement and confinement to reserves have further perpetuated these disparities. Despite facing discrimination and balancing their own mental health needs in their communities, Indigenous workers continue to struggle with high unemployment rates, with their educational opportunities and employment sectors being negatively affected by past traumas, such as the residential school system. This historical oppression and its intergenerational impacts further hinder their ability to secure meaningful work.
Indigenous people often face inequitable access to employment opportunities. As the Indigenous population grows, questions arise about whether the Canadian workforce will adapt to provide fair employment opportunities. Research indicates that those who leave their home communities for work may experience disconnection, exclusion in the workplace, and a lack of external cultural support, leading to dissatisfaction. Exclusion from meaningful work not only contributes to health disparities but also impacts organizations’ ability to benefit from Indigenous employee contributions. Unemployment is closely tied to health-related problems and high-risk behaviours, especially within Indigenous communities, which grapple with historical trauma and compounded issues. Indigenous workers, often relocating for employment, frequently encounter discrimination and racism, further eroding their health outcomes.
Addressing the Impact of Psychologically and Culturally Unsafe Work Environments for Indigenous Employees.
Strategies have been proposed to tackle these disparities, such as enhancing the visibility of Indigenous traditions by incorporating traditional artifacts, symbols, and practices in the workplace, and providing Cultural Safety training for non-Indigenous employees. Ensuring that Indigenous traditions are represented and occupy visible spaces can help create a more inclusive and respectful environment. These initiatives aim to create a workplace where Indigenous employees feel culturally safe. Mentorship programs have also been suggested to bridge the gap between Indigenous traditions and the Westernized workforce framework. Employers should recognize that Indigenous individuals may prefer workplaces that genuinely value their cultural heritage and do not tolerate negative behaviours towards Indigenous culture among co-workers.
