Abstract:
Objectives: To assess the mediating role of ethnic separation in the relationship
between adverse acculturation conditions and wellbeing in the workplace. The
analysis entails establishment of how acculturation conditions, such as segregation
demands, racism and discrimination, affect employees’ intentions to quit and their
physical and psychological health. In addition, it aims to determine the mediating role
of ethnic separation between adverse conditions and wellbeing.
Design: The convenient sample covers most sectors, such as the retail sector,
banking sector, mining sector, police service, municipality, and individuals between
18 and 60 years living in South Africa. A total of 327 participants were eligible to
complete an acculturation questionnaire during 2011.
Results: The study showed that racism, discrimination, segregation and separation,
affect acculturation outcomes, with intentions to quit having a particularly adverse
effect. Racism and discrimination affect people’s physical and psychological health.
Furthermore, results showed that employees, who experience some sort of
mainstream segregation, racism and discrimination, are more likely to choose to
distance themselves and prefer separation.
Conclusions: The article concludes that racism, discrimination, segregation and
separation affect acculturation outcomes adversely. As a result, employees’
preferred acculturation strategy is to separate from those who discriminate and/or
are racist.
