The Repercussions of Stereotype Threat for Indigenous Employees

Stereotype threat has adverse effects across a multitude of domains including performance and well-being. This is specifically true for Indigenous employees in the workplace.

With this in mind, let’s take some time to think about some of the affects that stereotype threat can have on Indigenous employees in the workplace now.

Outcomes for Performance

Performance outcomes are one of the main ways that Indigenous employees may be negatively affected by stereotype threat in the workplace. Let’s look at a study of this concept now, and think about how this may have real impacts on your place of work.

Take some time to answer the following questions to think about what you have just learned.

Beyond Performance

We have now considered how stereotype threat affects the performance of Indigenous employees in the workplace. However, stereotype threat can impact Indigenous employees in the workplace far beyond performance.
Explore the following slides to learn more about the effects that stereotype threat can have in the workplace beyond simply work performance.

The research you have just seen shows why it is important to create environments where everyone feels like they belong. Doing this can lower the impact of stereotype threat on Indigenous employees.

Outcomes for Well-Being

The last effect that it is important to consider is the outcomes that stereotype threat can have on the overall wellbeing of Indigenous employees. This extends beyond just workplace success, and into holistic wellbeing encompassing both mental and physical health.

The continuous performance pressure stemming from stereotype threat appears to have potential long-term consequences on well-being. Research indicates an increased vulnerability to high blood pressure and diminished self-control, ultimately contributing to unhealthy eating habits and increased aggression among people exposed to stereotype threat. Research also shows that pressure to fit in and to avoid stereotypes and stereotype threat can result in unhealthy eating habits and even increased aggression.

As we can see from all of these examples, stereotype threat does not just cause momentary distress for Indigenous employees. It can result in sustained and prolonged harmful impacts on  overall well being and health, both inside and outside the workplace.