Black and South Asian women have to wait another two months to get their first job

On average, black and South Asian women in the UK, despite their confidence, spend at least two months longer than white women between graduating from school and landing their first job.

According to a study by Totaljobs, it took an average of 5.1 months for Black women to play their first role after graduating from school, and 4.9 months for South Asian women.

For comparison, white men took 3.4 months, while white women took just 2.8 months to find their first job.

Totaljobs and The Diversity Trust have collaborated to create a new report assessing the career paths of Black and South Asian women in the UK.

Studies show that black and South Asian women have a higher level of confidence in their career paths than white women, but face barriers to promotion due to racism and sexism.

Before entering the workforce, 66% of Black women and 62% of South Asian women believed they could achieve something in their future careers. Compared to just 38% of white women and 46% of white men.

In addition to their careers, 64% of black women and 62% of South Asian women are confident in their career path compared to 53% of white men and 43% of white women.

These levels are still higher than whites, but Black and South Asian women’s confidence levels show that they start to decline once they are hired. Compared to the confidence of white colleagues Growing Sharp after they learned.

Despite a high level of trust and the fact that three-fifths (59%) of Black and South Asian women believe that their employers support their ambitions, at the managerial level these two-thirds of these women believe that ethnicity and gender influence them. Progress. From the point of view of a leader.

Thus, at the managerial level, 30% of Black and South Asian women feel they worked harder than others to achieve their position, and a fifth set a role model. I feel pressured to do it.

Discrimination and associated pressure

The study also focuses on the pressures and discrimination Black and South Asian women face in their careers.

Two-thirds of Black and South Asian women (70% of Black women and 63% of South Asian women) felt they needed to change their code at work. I feel like I have to change my language, appearance, tone of voice and name. , and manners.

Additionally, four-fifths (79%) of Black and South Asian women said they experienced discrimination in the workplace, and less than one-fifth (17%) of these women reported.

Studies show that many Black and South Asian women were unsure about spotting discrimination (29%) and less confident in its resolution (25%) and believed they would be punished. They reported it themselves (13%) and did not think the company would take it seriously (16%).

prosperity

These incidents of code-switching and workplace discrimination are suffering, with the majority of Black and South Asian women (62%) saying their well-being has been affected.

Of those who struggled to earn income from work, one in ten (29%) of Black and South Asian women said they received adequate levels of support from their employers (paid leave, felt comfortable about accessing consultations, workload reduction or other similar activities) (31%).

However, one in eight (13%) said they asked for help but did not receive it.

More than a third (35%) of Black women and 34% of South Asian women are part of a staff-led network. However, only 12% of them are funded by the employer. An additional 12% is not approved by the organization and is part of the external network. More than half (55%) believe that such groups contribute to a more inclusive workplace.

Advice to employers

“The results of this study are significant and highlight some of the structural and institutional barriers that Black and South Asian women face in achieving their chosen careers,” Tinas, a consultant to diversity trusts, said Verhege.

“Yet the women we interviewed have employers explore their structural and implicit biases to show self-confidence, increase their chances of success in the workplace and reduce harm. I want to do it.

“There is ample evidence of the need for change, and the momentum is now in action, employers and colleagues.

After consultation with The Diversity Trust, Totaljobs recommends that employers take steps to diversify their hiring process and improve their overall work environment.

These recommendations are as follows:

• Introduce measures to reduce prejudice and discrimination in the employment process.
• It provides the right environment to transform the ambitions and diligence of Black and South Asian women into a successful career.
• Create a “safe place” for communities that clearly recognizes racism and sexism in the workplace.
• As a company, we promise to work on ongoing education and training to create an environment where discriminatory behavior is difficult and diversity and inclusion matter.

Other recommendations on hiring and employment, adapting to corporate culture, workplace education and partnerships, support for career advancement, social support, and prohibition of discrimination are also included in the report.

Have a story to share?

Please contact us by email.