OBJECTIVE: Workplace racial discrimination (WRD) is a well-recognized issue; its impacts remain limitedly explored. This study examines the rate of WRD and its association with mental health among Arab, Asian, Black, and Indigenous individuals in Canada.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a nationally representative and ethnically diverse survey panel.
METHODS: Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted on a subsample of 1535 Arab, Asian, Black, and Indigenous participants aged 25 and older (55.31 % women).
RESULTS: Black and Indigenous individuals reported higher rates for both types of workplace racial discrimination. Respectively, Indigenous (OR= 0.62 and OR=1.96, p<0.001) and Black (OR=2.31, p<0.001 and OR=1.60, p=0.006) participants were more likely to experience both racial discrimination in hiring process and in promotion denial or firing compared to Arab participants. Participants who experienced racial discrimination in promotion denial or firing were more likely to present symptoms of anxiety (AOR=2.37, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.82-3.09]), depression (AOR=2.80, p<0.001, 95 % CI [2.22-3.54]), stress (AOR=2.43, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.89-3.14]), and PTSD (AOR=2.43, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.77-3.32]) than those who have not. Similarly, racial discrimination in the hiring process was associated with higher odds of anxiety (AOR=2.24, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.71-2.92]), depression (AOR=2.18, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.73-2.75]), stress (AOR=2.01, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.56-2.59]), and PTSD (AOR=1.99, p<0.001, 95 % CI [1.45-2.72]).
CONCLUSIONS: Workplace racial discrimination is strongly associated with mental health problems among Indigenous and racialized individuals. Race-specific organizational interventions and anti-racist programs are recommended to improve workplace well-being and racialized workers health.