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New study finds South Asian women twice as likely to say they are treated unfairly in the workplace, with\nalmost 60 per cent ready quit their jobs
\nToronto, March 1, 2022 \u2013 Ahead of International Women\u2019s Day, a newly released study is shedding light
\non the reasons South Asian women have the highest unemployment rate in Canada and what employers
\ncan do to unlock the potential of this growing labour force. The report, released today, reveals that
\nmore than half (57 per cent) of South Asian women are planning to leave their jobs for other
\nopportunities. That is more than any other female group in Canada and 19 per cent more than the
\naverage of all the females surveyed.
\nThe study also noted that South Asian women are twice as likely to report unfair treatment in the
\nworkplace: 34 per cent compared to the 17 per cent average of all females surveyed and 20 per for all
\nthe men surveyed.
\nThe findings are significant considering that over the next five years 100 per cent of Canada\u2019s labour
\nforce growth will be from immigration. Especially given that in 2018 newcomers from South Asia and the
\nPhilippines comprised almost 39 per cent of all newcomers in Canada (Immigration Refugees, and
\nCitizenship Canada).
\nSouth Asian women are also the largest female immigrant labour force and the highest educated,
\naccording to the 2016 Census.
\nThe study follows a 2020 Statistics Canada report which discovered that South Asian women have
\nalmost twice the national unemployment rate (20.4 per cent compared to 11.3 per cent). They are also
\nmore likely to be both underemployed and underpaid compared to non-visible minority women.
\nOther findings include:
\n\uf0b7 The pandemic has exacerbated challenges facing South Asian women, with 47 per cent they
\nconsidering leaving the workforce altogether due to the pandemic \u2013 compared to the 25 per
\ncent for women and 32 per cent for men in general.
\n\uf0b7 South Asian women are most likely (64 per cent) to admit that they have lowered their career
\nsalary expectations in the last few years, compared to the 50 percent average of all females
\nsurveyed and 45 per cent for all men surveyed.
\n\uf0b7 58 per cent reveal empty promises made by work managers about their career progression,
\ncompared to the 46.5 per cent of all females surveyed, and almost double when compared to
\nnon-racialized women (37 per cent). Furthermore, 65 per cent would rather leave their job than
\nwait in vain for those empty promises to come into fruition.
\nNevertheless, the study also reveals the resilience of South Asian women, who remain committed to
\nprofessional growth:
\n\uf0b7 71 per cent feel there is room for upward mobility and 66 per cent currently feel empowered in
\nthe workplace, the highest percentages of any female ethnic group and even higher than the 63
\nper cent average among all men surveyed.
\nImportant contrasts within the study suggest that South Asian women born in Canada, and those
\nalready established in this country face different obstacles and will need distinct supports to succeed.
\nEstablished South Asian women, for example, can be role models of the future but say they first need
\nmentorship to break through the glass ceiling. This group is also more likely to have confidence in their
\nabilities and be prepared to change employers if they don\u2019t get the supports they need. Meanwhile,
\nnewcomers are more concerned with being effectively integrated into the workforce and acknowledge
\nthat they are struggling to settle into corporate Canada.
\nThe research focuses on career focused South Asian women and has been conducted by CulturaliQ in
\npartnership with Pink Attitude, the first non-profit organization of its kind in Canada where women of
\nSouth Asian heritage are empowered to achieve their full potential in their chosen fields. It consists of a
\nqualitative component, including interviews with employers, employees and community leaders for
\nSouth Asian women and will be followed by quantitative online surveys.
\n\u201cThe findings tell a story of a workforce of systemic barriers and negative perceptions in the workplace,
\nnot only when compared to non-racialized women, but also when compared to other racialized
\nCanadian women,\u201d says Ruby Dhillon, CEO and Founder of Pink Attitude Evolution. What is also
\nimportant to note, however, that these women are highly entrepreneurial, and they have the skills that
\nare needed to thrive in their workplace. They\u2019re saying, \u2018give us a chance to excel, otherwise we\u2019re going
\nto go somewhere else and build our career.\u2019 They have choices.\u201d she adds.
\n\u201cWe have been keenly aware of the ongoing underutilization of South Asian women in the Canadian
\nworkplace. The first step in developing a support plan is to understand the reasons for these statistics
\nthen we can go on to demonstrate how incredibly important and valuable this asset is to the current
\nCanadian economy,\u201d says John Stevenson, Founding Partner, CulturaliQ.
\nThe report is available at pinkattitude.ca\/national-study. It also includes insights on what employers can
\ndo to ensure employee retention and career progression, including:
\n\uf0b7 Offering opportunities to build new skills, continuing education, and providing mentors who are
\nfrom a similar cultural background
\n\uf0b7 Amplifying and encouraging internships, co-op programs and educational assistance programs
\nThis research, supported by several top organizations across Canada, including TD, Deloitte, NATIONAL
\nPublic Relations, Sephora, City of Brampton, Automotive Parts Manufacturer\u2019s Association, EY,
\nScotiabank and IGM Financial.
\nFor more information, to receive a PDF version of the study or to schedule an interview, please contact:
\nAndrea Chrysanthou
\nDirector
\nNATIONAL Public Relations
\nachrysanthou@national.ca
\n416-797-8194<\/p>\n