5 Understanding Pacific peoples’ experiences in the workplace 5.1 Pacific peoples’ experiences in the workplace: a snapshot 5.1.1 Pacific peoples’ experiences with racial discrimination and harassment Institutional and structural racism continues to have a significant impact on Pacific peoples in the workplace.167 As noted previously, Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand who experience discrimination have reported poorer health and wellbeing outcomes.168 Pacific peoples have the highest reported experience of workplace discrimination, with 11.7 percent of New Zealandborn Pacific peoples reporting they have experienced workplace discrimination and 9.6 percent of Pacificborn Pacific peoples reporting the same.169 Morerecent research also indicated that more Pacific peoples are reporting experiences of discrimination with a growth between 2008–2014.170 However, the dates of these studies suggest that more-recent research into discrimination in employment is needed. Research also shows that Pacific peoples are unlikely to report facing discrimination at work as they fear reprisal or victimisation, suggesting that internal methods of reporting discrimination may result in underreporting given national levels of experiences in discrimination.171 In research conducted as a part of a multi-agency co-design challenge led by the Auckland Co-design Lab, it was found that Pacific peoples endure discrimination to remain in their workplaces in the hope of job prosperity and opportunity.172 A driving force behind such decisions is rooted in Pacific peoples’ understanding of the importance of regular financial support to serve their wider family and community.173 The literature suggests that experiences with discrimination also begin early in the employment process for Pacific peoples, with many experiencing discrimination during recruitment.174 In practice, this can be seen when Pacific peoples change their names on job applications because they are worried about how their application will be perceived if they keep their own name.175 There is shame associated with this decision, but research has found that Pacific peoples see it as necessary to gain employment.176 Further, studies have shown that Pacific peoples feel the need to leave their culture at the door while working.177 167 New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Talanoa, 44; Auckland Co-design Lab. The Attitude Gap Challenge: A South Auckland Employment and Skills Challenge. Auckland: Auckland Co-design Lab, 2016, 33. https://static1.squarespace.com/ static/55ac5ee5e4b08d4c25220f4b/t/5ab37c25758d46f90e271b4d/1521712213914/Attitude+Gap+Challenge+Final+report. pdf; Tupou, Holeva. “The Effect of the Glass Ceiling,” v. 168 Kapeli, Manuela, and Sibley, “Perceived Discrimination,” 140. 169 Daldy, Bridget, Jacques Poot, and Matthew Roskruge. “Perception of Workplace Discrimination Among Immigrants and Native Born New Zealanders.” Australian Journal of Labour Economics 16, no. 1 (2013): 145. 170 Yeung, Stanley, and Charles Crothers. “Patterns of Perceived Discrimination in New Zealand and Their Social Contexts.” New Zealand Sociology 31, no. 7 (2016): 214. 171 New Zealand Human Rights Commission, “Talanoa,” 14. 172 Auckland Co-design Lab, The Attitude Gap Challenge, 33. 173 Auckland Co-design Lab, The Attitude Gap Challenge, 33. 174 Came et al., “Ethnic Pay Disparities,” 71, 73; New Zealand Human Rights Commission, “Talanoa,” 25. 175 Auckland Co-design Lab, The Attitude Gap Challenge, 33; The Southern Initiative, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and Auckland Co-design Lab, Pacific Peoples’ Workforce Challenge, 14. 176 The Southern Initiative, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and Auckland Co-design Lab, Pacific Peoples’ Workforce Challenge, 14. 177 Equal Employment Opportunities Trust. Specifically Pacific: Engaging Young Pacific Workers. Auckland: Equal Employment Opportunities Trust, 2011, 24. https://www.mpp.govt.nz/assets/Reports/Specifically-Pacific-Engaging-Young-Pacific-WorkersReport.pdf; The Southern Initiative, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and Auckland Co-design Lab, Pacific Peoples’ Workforce Challenge, 14. Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry Literature Review 27