38 A report derived from an earlier General Social Survey found that discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity is the most frequent form of discrimination that people experience and that discrimination is most common in employment settings.38 This report noted that migrants are more likely to experience racial discrimination in the workplace than people born in Aotearoa New Zealand. It concluded that racial discrimination was not only associated with a person’s ethnic group but also where they were born. Findings from engagement on the development of a National Action Plan Against Racism A 2021 survey by Diversity Works, which surveyed 800 people across the public and private sectors in a variety of industries and organisations, found that 57.3 percent of respondents indicated conscious and unconscious bias influenced decision making in their organisation and was a significant issue. Bias ranked second in all respondents’ concerns. The survey report called for urgent work in this area, noting that “with insufficient or no measurement or evaluation of diversity initiatives, including combatting workplace bias, very little will transform this issue”.39 Participants in this project described how they felt the need to hide or minimise their ethnic or cultural identity when they went to work and to behave more like Pākehā so that they could fit in. People from migrant backgrounds shared their experiences of instability in the job market due to barriers such as language and cultural misunderstandings and racist attitudes towards migrants. Their vision was for a workplace where their cultural competency and expertise as well as lived experiences were recognised skills and remunerated accordingly. We note here other work that the Commission has done alongside this Inquiry to inform the development of a National Action Plan Against Racism. Led by Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon and Pou Arahi Tricia Keelan, this project engaged with the community to hear their experiences of racism and ideas for change. In these engagements, racism in employment emerged as a significant issue, especially for recent migrants. 38 Stats NZ. Working Together: Racial Discrimination in New Zealand. Wellington: Stats NZ, 2012. https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/ Uploads/Retirement-of-archive-website-project-files/Reports/Working-together-Racial-discrimination-in-New-Zealand/ working-together-racial-discrimination.pdf. 39 Diversity Works. New Zealand Workplace Diversity Survey 2021. Auckland: Diversity Works, 2021, 17. https://diversityworksnz. org.nz/media/4750/0521-diversity-survey-report-final.pdf.