Stereotypes in the Workplace

Written by Darren Bansil

Asian Americans constantly face and deal with racial misconceptions in America due to the
stereotypes made against them. Although these stereotypes can seem flattering, they tend to do
more damage than good in most cases. But that’s a topic for another day. Stereotypes regarding
Asians in America are shown to hold back Asian Americans in the workplace. Discriminations
made against Asians cause them to feel separate, disconnected from the rest of their peers and
coworkers. A survey of 350 Asian Americans conducted by Jason Shen, reports that a third
stated feeling that “they are treated worse than white people” and eighty-eight percent reported
facing a racial stereotype. Due to the model minority myth in America, many Americans simply
don’t see Asians as a struggling race in America. Most of the time, white peers assume that
Asians are less dominant, leading to bullying or discrimination in the workplace. This is
combined with many negative stereotypes including making fun of Asians for having small
penises. A study conducted by Jennifer Berdahl reports that East Asians who are dominant are
racially harassed at work more than nondominant East Asians. So even if Asian Americans are
dominant and fight back against these discriminatory behaviors, they face more severe
harassment. Another study by Berdahl also reports that coworkers dislike a dominant Asian
coworker compared to a nondominant Asian coworker and dominant or nondominant workers of
any other race. This study lines up with the story of Stella who says that she gets treated
courteously when she acts as the “deferential, quiet and nice Asian woman” but gets hostile
reactions from speaking up, or strong disagreements and conflicting opinions. This is what is
preventing Asians from obtaining higher, managerial positions in the workplace. According to
the Pew Research Center, Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated racial group in
the US; however, they sadly remain underrepresented in executive positions in companies.

Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2016/01/20/how-asian-americans-can-break-through-
the-bamboo-ceiling/?sh=6422c0d21e43
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andiekramer/2020/01/22/why-asian-american-women-arent-
advancing-into-senior-leadership-positions/?sh=4d60a8b973d2
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-09819-004
https://www.fastcompany.com/40590269/asian-americans-on-being-likable-in-the-modern-
workplace