Choice Publishing Book Store

 

Equity in the Workplace

 

Stories of Black Irish Women in Ireland

 

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Edited by

Dr Ebun Joseph

 

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ISBN: 978-1-913275-97-6

 

Price:  € 17.95 plus P&P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book:

 

To amplify the voices of Black Irish women, this book examines their experiences within the Irish labour market. It aims to uncover the challenges they face and their perceptions of achieving equity in the workplace. Despite progress in gender parity, disparities still exist, with women being underrepresented in leadership roles and facing lower pay, poor working conditions, and instances of bullying and harassment. Black women often face more obstacles in achieving equity. In response to the “Embracing Equity” theme of International Women's Day in March 2023, the Institute of Anti-racism and Black Studies partnered with the Unforgettable Women's Network and 10 Black Irish women professionals to explore gender equity for Black women in the workforce. Through a documentary that included insights from White Irish academics and allies, the discussion around equity in the workplace was expanded. This book project involved collaboration with additional authors to provide a comprehensive view of the experiences of Black Irish women in different sectors and age groups. The resulting collection of 16 chapters is a resource for understanding and addressing the gender bias, stereotypes, emotional labour, and challenges faced by Black Irish women in the labour market in 2024. It sheds light on the efforts made by these women to achieve equity, emphasizing the importance of collective activism, sponsorship, social capital, allyship, solidarity and acceptance. By sharing personal journeys and perspectives, this book aims to promote equal opportunities for all individuals in the workplace and advocates for the positive representation of Black Irish women in society.

 

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About the editor:

 

Dr Ebun Joseph is a diversity and race relations consultant, CEO & founder, of the Institute of Anti-racism and Black Studies (IABS), and coordinator and lecturer of the Black Studies module at University College Dublin (UCD). She is also the founder & chairperson of the African Scholars Association Ireland, AFSAI (2018-2022). Dr Joseph held the position of Career Development Consultant at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2017-2021), and was a Teaching Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, Training and Employment Officer EPIC (2007-2017). Ebun is an author, TV panellist, columnist and an equality activist. With a research focus on labour markets and race relations, she has presented at many business and NGO conferences. Ebun is a published author and contributes regular responses on contemporary issues of race and racism in Ireland. Her book is Racial Stratification in Ireland: A Critical Race Theory of Labour Market Inequality. She also co-authored the book, Challenging Perceptions of Africa in Schools: Critical Approaches to Global Justice Education. Dr Joseph’s 2020 article won the IRJ Prize awarded to the paper adjudicated to represent the best original contribution to the journal in a given year. ‘Composite counter storytelling as a technique for challenging ambivalence about race and racism in the labour market in Ireland.’

 

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This anthology Equity in the workplace: Stories from Black Irish women in Ireland, provides readers the opportunity to gain insider glimpses of what it is to be a Black Irish woman working in Ireland in the 21st century. The plurality of multigenerational insights of the contributors is a real plus of the book, as are the varied workplace experiences they highlight. What emerges across the chapters are the voices of people who are strong within themselves, their identities, and professional expertise and emboldened by the writing process to articulate the ways in which they are all too often constrained because of the discrimination they endure as Black and African women. They echo many of us when they express their disappointment about the continued inequalities across Irish society because, in part, they also hope for change.

 

Prof. Dina Zoe Belluigi

Queen's University Belfast

 

 

This book is an essential read for any individual or organisation interested in achieving equity in the Irish labour market. It’s insightful exploration of inequity in the labour market through compelling narratives of the lived experiences of 15 women and 1 man from diverse backgrounds, sheds light on the persistent challenges Black Irish women face in the Irish labour market, and offers valuable insights for how we can create a more equitable workplace. This book also provides practical strategies to address systemic inequalities, empowering individuals and organisations to create a more inclusive and fair workplace for all. I recommend this book as a tool for better understanding and advocating for equity in the labour market, with practical solutions for addressing systemic disparities. It is a must have resource for anyone committed to fostering inclusive workplaces and promoting economic justice.

 

Yemi Adenuga

Director of Programs- MiB Institute of People Development