Evaluating the effectiveness of Reconciliation Action Plans Report prepared by Auspoll

Transcription

1 Evaluating the effectiveness of Reconciliation Action Plans Report prepared by Auspoll

2 REPORT PREPARED BY: David Stolper Senior Research Partner T/ Nick Wyatt Consultant T/ Christine McKenna Researcher T/ Evaluating the effectiveness of Reconciliation Action Plans Overall Analysis REPORT PREPARED FOR: Reconciliation Australia August 2012

3 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Key findings Effectiveness of RAPs in the workplace Attitudes to reconciliation of RAP employees compared to the general community 3. Detailed Findings Awareness of RAP and RAP activities within organisations Effectiveness of RAPs in improving reconciliation within organisations Attitudes to Indigenous people in RAP organisations Comparison between attitudes towards reconciliation of RAP employees and the general community 4. Appendix 3

4 Introduction Background and methodology 4

5 Background Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) are plans that organisations can make to identify clear actions with realistic targets that they can take to improve the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians both within the organisation and more widely. The program was launched by Reconciliation Australia in 2006 with the hope that it would embed cultural change within a whole organisation through building good relationships, respecting the special contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and creating opportunities. Since the launch in 2006, the RAP program has grown to include 300 organisations as well as community groups and schools. Now that the program has been operating for 6 years, it is time to examine its progress and the impacts in more detail. To that end, this research evaluates the effectiveness of the RAP program at an overall level and within individual organisations, with the aim of gauging the level of impact and to reinvigorate support for its activities. In particular, the research aims to evaluate the impact of the RAPs on behaviour and attitudes, and whether they have helped increase understanding and respect towards Indigenous people and culture. To aid this, part of the survey replicates and compares results to questions from the most recent Reconciliation Barometer, to identify differences between employees of RAP organisations and the general community. 5

6 Methodology RAP Impact survey The main results in this report are based upon an online survey of 4612 respondents from 19 RAP holding organisations, and was conducted in July The survey was sent by the participating organisations to all their employees. Respondents were encouraged by the incentive of an opportunity to win an ipad. With a sample size of n=4612, the accuracy of the results at the overall level is +/-1.4% at the 95% confidence interval. This means, for example, that if the survey returns a result of 50%, there is 95% probability that the actual result will be between 48.6% and 51.4%. Further details of the sample composition are provided in the appendix General Community Barometer Around half the questions in the survey replicate questions in the most recent Reconciliation Barometer. This allows a comparison of attitudes towards reconciliation between RAP organisation employees and the general community. The Barometer is a biennial survey that monitors the progress of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The general community Barometer results are based upon a July 2012 survey of n=1012 Australians drawn from a professional market and social research panel and weighted to be representative of the Australian population by age, gender and location. This sample of n=1012 is associated with an accuracy of +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence level. Considerations The RAP impact survey covers only working age people in employment, compared to the general community survey which includes all ages over 18 and with respondents from a range of working situations (including unemployed and retired). These differences should be considered in evaluating the results. Despite this we believe that through a combination of comparison of the barometer questions together with the other survey questions this report provides a robust analysis of the impact of RAPs on the attitudes of employees. Note: All percentage figures in this report are rounded. Accordingly, totals may not add up to 100%. 6

7 7 Key Findings

8 Key Findings Effectiveness of RAPs in the workplace There is strong evidence that RAPs are having an extremely positive impact on the working environment The majority of employees who participated in the survey believe that their organisation s RAP provides more opportunities for Indigenous people to work in their organisation, improved their knowledge of Indigenous people and culture, and makes their organisation a better place in which to work. Nearly all employees believe there is a good relationship between Indigenous people and other employees in the workplace and that the levels of prejudice between these groups is low. Employees strongly support reconciliation activities within the workplace Over three quarters of respondents support their organisation s participation in each of the reconciliation activities surveyed, including providing opportunities for Indigenous people within the company and providing opportunities for everyone to learn more about Indigenous culture. Nearly 80% of employees surveyed have participated in at least one reconciliation activity within their organisation, with the vast majority both enjoying and learning from the experience. Nearly two-thirds of employees believe the number of opportunities to engage with Indigenous people in their workplace is about right, however a third would welcome even more opportunity to engage. There is relatively high awareness of RAPs amongst employees but there is still an opportunity for further internal promotion 65% of employees surveyed are aware their organisation has a RAP, but this rate varied considerably between individual organisations. 8

9 Key Findings Attitudes towards reconciliation of RAP employees compared to the general community Employees of RAP organisations attach a much greater level of importance to the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians and take greater pride in our Indigenous culture than the general community as a whole Three quarters [75%] of RAP employees believe that the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians is very important for Australia as a nation, compared to 46% of the general community. In addition over three quarters [77%] of RAP employees feel proud of Indigenous culture compared to only half [51%] of the general community. RAP employees have more contact with and have a more positive attitude towards Indigenous people Two thirds [66%] of RAP employees have occasional or frequent contact with Indigenous people, compared to 41% of the general community. RAP employees are much more likely than general community respondents to strongly agree that Indigenous people hold a special place as the first Australians [45% vs. 21%], and that Indigenous people have a diverse range of lifestyles like other Australians [29% vs. 10%]. RAP employees participate in many more reconciliation actions compared to the general community as a whole For example, over two thirds of RAP employees have recently talked to others about Indigenous issues and over half have educated themselves about Indigenous history, culture and people. In comparison, only one in two general community respondents have taken part in a reconciliation action of any type within the last 12 months. 9

10 10 Detailed Findings

11 11 Awareness of RAP and RAP activities within the organisation

12 Almost two thirds of respondents are aware of their organisation s Reconciliation Action Plan All RAP organisation respondents I was not aware my organisation had a RAP, 35 I was aware my organisation had a RAP, 65 However, 35% of respondents are not aware of their organisation s Reconciliation Action Plan, highlighting opportunity for more internal promotion and communication of RAP activities. 12 Q: Were you aware that your organisation has a Reconciliation Action Plan?

13 There is also generally a high level of awareness of specific reconciliation actions within RAP organisations All RAP organisation respondents Promoting and celebrating key reconciliation dates such as National Reconciliation Week within the workplace Specifically trying to recruit more Indigenous people as staff into their business Providing opportunities for Indigenous people to extend their education through scholarship, traineeships and work placements Partnering with Indigenous organisations to deliver programs that promote reconciliation or address Indigenous disadvantage Providing opportunities for their employees to learn more about Indigenous culture Acknowledging the traditional owners of the land at the start of official company events Committing to contracting Indigenous businesses, when all other tender conditions are equal, as part of a supplier diversity strategy I m aware that my organisation does this I m not sure if my organisation does this My organisation doesn t do this Whilst most respondents are aware of the various reconciliation actions that their organisation participates in, there is some degree of uncertainty with around a quarter not sure for most actions. Commitments to Supplier Diversity Strategies is the action most respondents are unsure about [51%]. 13 Q. Are you aware if your organisation is taking any of the following actions?

14 Employees are strongly supportive of their organisation taking a range of activities to support reconciliation All RAP organisation respondents Providing opportunities for Indigenous people to extend their education through scholarship, traineeships and work placements Providing opportunities for their employees to learn more about Indigenous culture Partnering with Indigenous organisations to deliver programs that promote reconciliation or address Indigenous disadvantage Promoting and celebrating key reconciliation dates such as National Reconciliation Week within the workplace Trying to recruit more Indigenous people as staff into their business Acknowledging the traditional owners of the land at the start of official company events Committing to contracting Indigenous businesses, when all other tender conditions are equal, as part of a supplier diversity strategy Strongly support Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose Strongly oppose Over three quarters of respondents support a range of reconciliation actions in the workplace. Support is especially high for providing opportunities for extending the education of Indigenous people, and for providing opportunities for employees to learn more about Indigenous culture. 14 Q. Would you support or oppose your organisation taking the following actions?

15 Over three quarters of respondents have participated in at least one reconciliation activity within their current organisation All RAP organisation respondents Been present at an event containing a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country Received Cultural Awareness Training Attended an event to celebrate National Reconciliation Week or NAIDOC week Personally delivered a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country Participated in at least one reconciliation activity Yes, arranged by my current organisation Yes, but not arranged by my current organisation No The most common activities include being present at a Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country [60%], and cultural awareness training [52%]. 15 Q. Have you undertaken any of the following activities either within or outside your current organisation?

16 Employees find these reconciliation activities both enjoyable and educational All RAP organisation respondents who had taken part in at least one activity Overall all activities undertaken within organisation I enjoyed participating in this activity I learnt something from this activity I felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture after this activity Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree 85% of participants enjoyed reconciliation activities, whilst over two-thirds say they felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture as a result of the reconciliation activities. 16 Q. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your experiences with this activity undertaken within your organisation?

17 Employees saw benefits from each of the specific reconciliation activities All RAP respondents who had taken part in the activity Cultural Awareness Training Personally delivered an Acknowledgement of Country I enjoyed participating in this activity I enjoyed participating in this activity I learnt something from this activity I felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture after this activity I learnt something from this activity I felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture after this activity NAIDOC week event Presence at Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country event I enjoyed participating in this activity I enjoyed participating in this activity I learnt something from this activity I felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture after this activity I learnt something from this activity I felt more positively about Indigenous people and culture after this activity Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree More than three quarters of respondents enjoyed taking part in a range of reconciliation activities, whilst at least half said they learnt from the activity and that they feel more positively about Indigenous people and culture as a result. 17 Q. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your experiences with this activity undertaken within your organisation?

18 18 Effectiveness of RAPs in improving reconciliation within organisations

19 Over half of all respondents believe RAP activities have had a positive effect on their organisation RAP organisation respondents aware of RAP Providing opportunities for Indigenous people in your organisation Encouraging people in your organisation to genuinely support workplace diversity Encouraging a workplace free of diversity-based stereotypes and biases Your knowledge of Indigenous people and culture The relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians in your organisation Making your organisation a good place to work Encouraging senior managers in your organisation to value the differences in people It has had a positive impact on this It has made no difference to this It has had a negative impact on this I have no idea of its impact on this Perceived benefits of RAP activities are wide-ranging, with positive impacts seen in providing opportunities for Indigenous people in the organisation [63%] and encouraging people to support workplace diversity [62%] in particular. 19 Q: What impact do you think your organisation s Reconciliation Action Plan had made to the following?

20 Employees who have taken part in reconciliation activities are much more likely to think the RAP is having a positive effect RAP organisation respondents aware of RAP % who think RAP has had a positive impact on this Providing opportunities for Indigenous people in your organisation Encouraging people in your organisation to genuinely support workplace diversity Your knowledge of Indigenous people and culture Encouraging a workplace free of diversity-based stereotypes and biases The relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians in your organisation Making your organisation a good place to work Encouraging senior managers in your organisation to value the differences in people Taken part in at least one reconciliation activity within organisation Not taken part in any activity within organisation These findings highlight the benefits of individual employees actively participating in the program. In particular, they are more likely to have a greater knowledge of Indigenous culture and think the organisation is a good place to work. 20 Q: Please nominate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements as descriptions of your main job and you feelings about work?

21 Attitudes towards equality are also largely positive within RAP organisations All RAP organisation respondents My immediate manager treats everyone fairly My immediate manager values differences in people I feel I can really be myself on my job Individuals from all backgrounds have the same chance of promotion Job vacancies are advertised widely to attract a diverse applicant pool Strongly agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly disagree Don t Know 90% of respondents from RAP organisations either strongly or somewhat agree that their immediate manager treats everyone fairly, whilst 87% feel that they can be themselves in their workplace. 21 Q: Please nominate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements as descriptions of your main job and you feelings about work?

22 Employees who have participated in RAP activities are slightly more likely to have positive attitudes to equality issues in the workplace RAP organisation respondents % who strongly agree with this statement My immediate manager treats everyone fairly My immediate manager values differences in people I feel I can really be myself on my job Individuals from all backgrounds have the same chance of promotion Job vacancies are advertised widely to attract a diverse applicant pool Taken part in at least one reconciliation activity within organisation Not taken part in any activity within organisation Participants in RAP activities are especially more likely to think their immediate manager treats everyone fairly and values differences in people. 22 Q: Please nominate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements as descriptions of your main job and you feelings about work?

23 23 Attitudes to Indigenous people in RAP organisations

24 There is high awareness of Indigenous colleagues within RAP organisations All RAP organisation respondents No, not aware of any Indigenous people working in my organisation, 14 Yes, aware of Indigenous people working in my organisation, 86 86% of respondents from RAP organisations are aware that they have Indigenous colleagues. 24 Q. Are you aware of any Indigenous people working in your organisation?

25 The relationship between Indigenous and other employees in RAP organisations is viewed as good All RAP organisation respondents* All RAP organisation respondents Relationship between employees Relationship between Indigenous and other within organisation Australians overall in Australia Very poor, 1 Very poor, Very good, Fairly poor, Very good, 44 Fairly good, 36 Fairly good, 51 Fairly poor, 50 95% of employees within RAP organisations believe the workplace relationship between Indigenous and other employees is either very or fairly good. This compares to only 42% who think the relationship is good in Australia as a whole. 25 Q. Would you say the current relationship between Indigenous employees in your organisation and other employees is? *excludes those unaware of any Indigenous colleagues

26 There is also high trust between Indigenous and other employees within RAP organisations All RAP organisation respondents* Trust between employees within organisation All RAP organisation respondents Trust in Australia as a whole Trust that Indigenous people in my organisation have for other employees Trust that Indigenous people have for other Australians Trust that non- Indigenous people in my organisation have for Indigenous employees Trust that other Australians have for Indigenous people Very high Fairly high Fairly low Very low Don't know Over two thirds of respondents believe trust is high between Indigenous and other employees within their organisation. This compares to about one in ten who believe trust is high in Australia as a whole. 26 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people in your organisation? *excludes those unaware of any Indigenous colleagues

27 The level of prejudice between Indigenous and other employees in RAP organisations is low All RAP organisation respondents* Prejudice within organisation All RAP organisation respondents Prejudice overall Australia Level of prejudice non- Indigenous people in my organisation hold towards Indigenous employees Level of prejudice Australians hold towards Indigenous people Level of prejudice Indigenous people in my organisation hold towards other employees Level of prejudice Indigenous people hold towards other Australians Very high Fairly high Fairly low Very low Don't know Less than 10% of employees of RAP organisations believe prejudice between Indigenous and other employees is high within their workplace. This compares to over half who believe prejudice is high in Australia in general. 27 Q: How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in your organisation? *excludes those unaware of any Indigenous colleagues

28 Almost two thirds believe their organisation provides an appropriate amount of opportunities to engage with Indigenous people All RAP organisation respondents My organisation provides too many opportunities for me to engage with Indigenous people and culture, 2 I would like my organisation to provide more opportunities for me to engage with Indigenous people and culture, 34 My organisation provides an appropriate amount of opportunities to engage with Indigenous people and culture, 64 A third of respondents from RAP organisations would like their employers to provide even more opportunities for staff to engage with Indigenous people and their culture. 28 Q: Do you feel that your organisation provides you with enough opportunities to engage with Indigenous people and culture?

29 29 Comparison between attitudes towards reconciliation of RAP employees and the general community

30 RAP respondents place more importance on the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians than the general community RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians Very important Fairly important Fairly unimportant Not important at all How good is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians today How good is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians today Very good Fairly good Fairly poor Very poor Respondents from RAP organisations are notably more likely to consider the relationship as being very important [75%] than respondents of the general community [46%]. The majority of both groups consider the relationship today to be fairly good or fairly poor. 30 Q. How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians for Australia as a nation?

31 More than three quarters of respondents believe there is a low level of trust between Indigenous people and other Australians RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community Trust that Indigenous people have for other Australians Trust that Indigenous people have for other Australians Trust that other Australians have for Indigenous people Trust that other Australians have for Indigenous people Very high Fairly high Fairly low Very low Don't know The findings amongst RAP employees are broadly consistent with that of the general community. 31 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people?

32 Echoing the Barometer, RAP respondents are likely to believe that there is a high level of prejudice towards Indigenous people in Australia RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community Level of prejudice Australians hold towards Indigenous people Level of prejudice Australians hold towards Indigenous people Level of prejudice Indigenous people hold towards other Australians Level of prejudice Indigenous people hold towards other Australians Very high Fairly high Fairly low Very low Don't know General community respondents are notably more likely to believe the level of prejudice Indigenous people hold towards other Australians is very high [25%], compared to those who work for a RAP organisation [14%]. 32 Q: How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people?

33 Employees in RAP organisations have more contact with Indigenous people than the general community RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General community How much contact do you have with Indigenous people? How much contact do you have with Indigenous people? How much contact would you like to have with Indigenous people in the future? How much contact would you like to have with Indigenous people in the future? Frequent contact Occasional contact Rare contact No contact RAP employees are also significantly more likely to want more contact in the future, with 55% saying they would like frequent contact compared to 16% in the general community. 33 Q: How would you describe the level of contact you have with Indigenous people?

34 RAP employees are more likely to believe Indigenous culture is important to our identity RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community Indigenous culture is important to Australia s identity as a nation Indigenous culture is important to Australia s identity as a nation Australia is better off because we have many different cultures Australia is better off because we have many different cultures As an Australian, I feel proud of Indigenous culture As an Australian, I feel proud of Indigenous culture Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree RAP employees are also more likely to believe Australia is better off with many different cultures and be proud of Indigenous culture. 34 Q:Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.

35 RAP respondents are notably more likely to have a positive attitude to Indigenous people than the general community RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community Indigenous people hold a special place as the First Australians Indigenous people hold a special place as the First Australians I would feel fine if I had a child who decided to marry an Indigenous person I would feel fine if I had a child who decided to marry an Indigenous person Indigenous people have a diverse range of lifestyles and occupations like other Australians Indigenous people have a diverse range of lifestyles and occupations like other Australians The relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians is improving The relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians is improving Non-Indigenous Australians are superior to Indigenous Australians Non-Indigenous Australians are superior to Indigenous Australians Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Almost twice as many respondents from RAP organisations strongly agree that Indigenous people hold a special place as the first Australians, would feel fine if their child married an Indigenous person, and that Indigenous people have a diverse range of lifestyles like other Australians, and strongly disagree that non-indigenous Australians are superior to Indigenous Australians. 35 Q:Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.

36 Employees of RAP organisations are more likely to have a higher level of knowledge about Indigenous culture than the general community RAP organisation respondents Barometer General Community Knowledge about the history of Indigenous people in Australia Knowledge about the history of Indigenous people in Australia Knowledge about Indigenous culture Knowledge about Indigenous culture Very high Fairly high Fairly low Very low No knowledge at all 40% of RAP employees have a high knowledge of Indigenous culture compared to 31% in the general community. 36 Q: How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics?

37 Most respondents know the name of the traditional owners of the land where they live All RAP organisation respondents No, I don't know the name of the traditional owners of the area where I live, 29 Yes, I know the name of the traditional owners of the area where I live, 71 Over 70% of RAP employees know the traditional owners of the land where they live. 37 Q: Do you know the name of the Indigenous tribe or nation which is the traditional owner of the area where you live?

38 Respondents from RAP organisations are more likely to undertake actions that advance reconciliation RAP organisation respondents Barometer 2012 General Community Talked to others about Indigenous issues 67 Talked to others about Indigenous issues 27 Educated yourself about Indigenous history, culture and people 57 Educated yourself about Indigenous history, culture and people 25 Built personal relationships with Indigenous people 50 Built personal relationships with Indigenous people 18 Supported Indigenous arts and music 42 Supported Indigenous arts and music 12 Donated time 21 Donated time 7 Donated money 12 Donated money 9 None of the above in the last 12 months 14 None of the above in the last 12 months 50 Employees of RAP organisations are notably more likely than general community respondents to have talked to others about Indigenous issues, educated themselves on history & culture, have relationships with Indigenous people and support Indigenous arts & music. 38 Q: Below is a list of things that some people can do to advance reconciliation or help disadvantaged Indigenous people. Please indicate whether you have done any of these things in the past 12 months.

39 Nearly all RAP employees would feel comfortable being present at an event containing an Acknowledgement of Country All RAP organisation respondents Being present at an event containing an Acknowledgement of Country Personally delivering an Acknowledgement of Country I would feel very comfortable doing this I would feel slightly uncomfortable doing this I would feel comfortable doing this I would feel very uncomfortale doing this Furthermore, two thirds of employees say they would be comfortable personally delivering an Acknowledgement of Country. 39 Q: How comfortable would you feel about taking part in ain Acknowledgement of Country in the following ways?.

40 Appendix Respondent profiles 40

41 Sample Characteristics (gender, age, location) Sample subsegment % of sample # in sample Male Female to to to to to plus 0 9 NSW VIC QLD SA WA ACT Other Sample subsegment % of sample # in sample Capital city Major regional city Regional town Rural town Remote town or community Non-Indigenous Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander 0 21 Born in Australia Born overseas Total sample =4612. Please note that percentages have been rounded, and therefore may not equal 100% * Some Indigenous respondents identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 41

42 Sample Characteristics (qualifications, household income before tax) Sample sub-segment % of sample # in sample Part of secondary school 2 94 Secondary school TAFE / Apprenticeship University degree Postgraduate university degree Less than $30, $30,000 - $49, $50,000 - $69, $70,000 - $89, $90,000 $119, $120,000 - $149, $150,000 or more Don t know/ Declined Total sample = Please note that percentages have been rounded, and therefore may not equal 100% 42

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