AAPI Data, a national research and policy organization, and SurveyMonkey, a global leader in online surveys, have released findings from their fourth annual survey that sheds light on the attitudes and experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) individuals in American workplaces and communities.
According to the results, there is a big difference between how AANHPIs identify themselves in personal and professional contexts. At work, a majority of Asians (56 percent) identify as American, as do 68 percent of American Indians or Alaskan Natives (AIAN) and 59 percent of Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders (NHPI).
In personal contexts, however, 63 percent of Asians and 59 percent of NHPI individuals identify more strongly with their racial or ethnic heritage. This suggests potential barriers to expressing racial identity in professional environments.
The survey found that representation in leadership roles remains a critical issue. One in four Asian workers (24 percent) believe their employers are not doing enough to enhance diversity and representation in leadership. Furthermore, only 24 percent of Asian workers strongly agree that they have support for leadership opportunities, the lowest among all racial groups.
Participation in employee resource groups (ERGs) is higher among Asian workers (17 percent ) compared to other groups, but only 58 percent report a positive impact from these groups.
Apart from representation, safety concerns and reporting of hate crimes are also significant issues. Asian Americans are less comfortable reporting hate crimes, with only 31 percent feeling 'very comfortable' doing so, compared to higher percentages among other racial groups. Additionally, 33 percent of Americans feel less safe in public spaces, reporting a lower sense of safety compared to white Americans (47 percent) and AIAN individuals (44 percent).
The survey also highlighted that discrimination through racial slurs remains prevalent, particularly among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, who experience the highest rates (30 percent).
Other race-based incidents, such as threats of property damage (15 percent), actual property damage (12 percent), and cyberbullying (14 percent), are also more frequent for NHPI individuals. AIAN and multi-racial Americans report the highest rates of physical assault or threats, with 29 percent having experienced such incidents.
In light of the findings, Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data, emphasized the importance of uplifting AANHPI and other communities of color in professional leadership and public safety.
“As the fastest-growing segments of the population and electorate, our voices as Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders carry significant weight and influence. While we celebrate strides in public visibility and media representation, these data illuminate the need to uplift AANHPIs and other communities of color in the realms of professional leadership and workplace climate, community recognition, and public safety,”
Sam Gutierrez, senior research scientist at SurveyMonkey, underscored the evolving challenges the nation faces and the importance of data-driven insights. "These insights provide a critical, common foundation for individuals and communities to come together and evolve," he said, stressing the role of data in driving purposeful action and informed decision-making.
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