Black professionals’ workplace satisfaction still has a long way to go

Fishbowl, a place for business professionals to connect and looks to create a space for change and constructive conversation, recently released a survey on Black professionals’ workplace satisfaction. Questions focused on work reviews, competitive pay, employee resource groups (ERGs) and mentorship, Fishbowl’s findings were telling of dissatisfaction in their industries. The survey first analyzed employer reviews. Professional reviews are crucial to promotions, salary increases, and overall professional growth. Forty-five percent of the people surveyed said their reviews are based on their personality. This was described as a tactic many companies and businesses use to avoid discussing tangible work outcomes. When looking at the number of diverse upper-level employees, the result of diverting professional reviews becomes more clear. In a 2020 study, it was found that 12 percent of 870 executive leaders were diverse. Of the 40 board of directors and senior-level workers, only 27 percent were diverse. Five percent were Black, eight percent were Latino, and eight percent were Asian. The dissatisfaction with reviews also coincides with a workplace’s competitive pay. Fishbowl reports 44 percent agreed their compensation is competitive and 43 percent do not. An additional 13 percent are unsure. That means more Black workers are generally dissatisfied with their wages, further affecting Black professionals' workplace satisfaction. ERGs continue to be a topic of conversation. Companies leverage it as a way to be more inclusive with their employees. Fishbowl’s survey challenges the net effectiveness. Only 31 percent of Black workers agreed that ERGs were working at providing group support while 44 percent disagreed and 25 percent were unsure. Despite the numbers, it’s clear that ERGs bring a qualitative aspect to work. These groups are often ways for workers to share experiences and bring on role advancements – nurturing day-to-day satisfaction. The last part of Fishbowl's survey focused on mentorship, and advocacy in the workplace. When asked if they would be able to find a mentor at their work, 55 percent confirmed that they could while 34 percent said they couldn’t and 11 percent were unsure. The numbers are similar for workers in the advertising, media, and technology (AMT) industries. In 2021, She Runs It surveyed 50 AMT corporations. Of that 50, 44 percent said that they have implemented one-on-one mentoring programs, and 27 percent said that they have mentor training. The United States isn’t the only country struggling to make ground in the marketing world. In 2021, a study found Black representation in upper-level positions dropped from three percent to one in the UK. That same study also found that some industries are facing the issue of Black talent leaving due to distrust, a lack of professional progress, and little movement on implementing real change. Despite the lack of movement from companies and corporations, Black professionals in high positions have proven their worth and right to be at the table. A 2022 study from the University of Georgia and Stevens Institute of Technology found that Black CEOs can boost a company’s sales by an average of three percent. Black professionals have worked harder to get be represented and heard. For example, compared to 53 percent of white executives with advanced degrees, 93 percent of Black executives have advanced degrees. It also found Black executives have more than a year of additional education than white counterparts, and their degrees often come from top universities.

Black professionals’ workplace satisfaction still has a long way to go

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Post written by: Byonce Tyus

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Black professionals’ workplace satisfaction still has a long way to go

To continue reading this article, log in below or subscribe to Brand&Culture.

Post written by: Byonce Tyus

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