New research backed by the National Australia Bank will further unveil the lived experiences of First Nations employees and identify necessary requirements to create workplace environments free of racism and bias.
With funding from the NAB Foundation, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Jumbunna Centre for Indigenous Education and Research/UTS Business School and Diversity Council Australia will produce a second Gari Yala report.
The first Gari Yala (meaning 'speak the truth in Wiradjuri) report published in 2020 revealed Indigenous people across a variety of Australian workplaces suffered significant racism, with a lack of cultural safety practices at their places of employment.
"To speak the truth about the lived experience of Indigenous Australians at work is crucial to creating fair and equal workplaces that are working towards safety and are free from racism, discrimination and bias," said Nareen Young, associate dean at UTS Business School.
She said Gari Yala had become the benchmark for Indigenous inclusion, but the world for First Nations people in employment was changing rapidly, and wage equality would be a focus of the upcoming research, to be completed in 2025.
"With this research we want to build on the findings of the first Gari Yala report and begin to understand the Indigenous wages gap," she said.
"We want to track the psychosocial impact of racism at work, examine cultural load and its impacts more carefully, while tracking the impact of intersectional considerations."
The project will utilise Indigenous research methodology and be overseen by an Indigenous expert panel.
Director of Jumbunna research, Professor Lindon Coombes, emphasised the importance of an Indigenous perspective.
"Our Indigenous research methodology means we're able to provide a First Nations perspective on issues that affect our communities," Professor Coombes said.
The research will begin next month and survey more than 1,000 workers in workplaces across the nation.
DCA CEO Lisa Annese said listening to First Nations people was particularly important after the recent Voice referendum result.
"We must intensify efforts towards reconciliation," she said.
"The Gari Yala report changed the conversation around how First Nations people are treated at work and paved the way for a more thoughtful and considered approach to making workplaces safer and more inclusive."
Jumbunna researcher Josh Gilbert and Australian National University Indigenous postdoctoral research fellow Dr Olivia Evans would also conduct research for the report, which they hope would provide a crucial contribution to the national conversation around employment and workplace conditions for Indigenous people.
"Our Indigenous research methodology means we're able to provide a First Nations perspective on issues that affect our communities," Professor Coombes said.
"As an Indigenous-led research body with strong connections to community, the Jumbunna Institute is enabling Indigenous workers to speak up about their experiences in the workplace."
NAB group executive people and culture Sarah White said the institution was proud to partner the Jumbunna Institute, UTS Business School, and DCA to deliver a second Gari Yala report.
"We see this research as crucial to supporting First Nations thought leadership and promoting workplace inclusion," she said.
The Jumbunna Institute aims to produce the highest quality research on Indigenous legal and policy issues, and develop highly skilled Indigenous researchers.