The Covid-19 pandemic challenged any notion that Asian Americans are a privileged, white-adjacent group skirting above racism. The virus was quickly racialized and labeled as an Asian virus by prominent leaders and politicians, amplifying existing undercurrents of racism toward Asian Americans.
Research: How Anti-Asian Racism Has Manifested at Work in the Pandemic
Researchers interviewed professionals in the U.S. and Canada about their experiences in a variety of industries.
March 13, 2023
HBR Staff; Leland Bobbe/Getty Images; Unsplash
Summary.
To more fully understand how Covid-19 affected the racial dynamics experienced by Asian professionals in the workplace, in their recent study, the authors interviewed and gathered stories from 35 professionals working in a range of different industries, including finance, health care, technology, and higher education over the span of three months. Participants included a mix of Asian American and Asian Canadian professionals, and the findings applied to both groups. They uncovered several important findings about how racism against Asians can manifest at work and how Asians are responding to these forms of discrimination — all of which highlight the imperative for leaders to help repair cross-racial relationships and create an organizational culture that is inclusive for all.