This study maps the new and relatively unknown concept of 'ethnic minority stress' in Denmark. In the US this is already a well-established expression, and research has been conducted on the subject in Sweden and Norway. The study was carried out by the Lige Adgang (Equal Access) association, which specialises in bridging access to the Danish labour market for migrants. The association was presented previously on EWSI under its former name “Nydansker” (New Danes). 

Research for the study involved the completion of questionnaires by respondents who identify themselves as having “ethnic minority background”. This group can include third-country nationals (TCNs) and beneficiaries of international protection (BIPs) as well as some EU nationals (such as Romanian and Polish people) and their descendants.
 
The published study presents the quantitative and qualitative findings of 296 questionnaires, 28 qualitative individual interviews with ethnic minority persons, and a focus group discussion. It also shares recommendations based on these findings.
 
Some quantitative findings include:

• Discrimination affects general well-being in the workplace: 68.2% of those surveyed experience discrimination in their workplace in the form of comments and jokes about their ethnic origin, skin colour, language or religion.
• Discrimination has major health consequences: 66.3% experience physical discomfort as a result of perceived discrimination, for example headache, lack of or increased appetite, palpitations, restlessness in the body and/or difficulty sleeping. 43.8% said they experience this discomfort "often" or "every day".
• Experiences of discrimination are often not reported in the workplace: 73.9% said that they have not informed their workplace about the instances of discrimination they have experienced.
• Media and political discourses have an impact on well-being: 69.5% feel that the political discourse on ethnic minorities in Denmark affects their general well-being at work, with 61% saying that it affects them “to a great extent” or “to a very great extent”.
• Those with ethnic minority background are required to make extra effort in the workplace: 59.2% feel obliged to make extra effort in comparison with their colleagues, with 90.6% saying they believe this is due to their ethnicity or religious background.

Association director Muneeza Rosendahl can be contacted for further information via mr@ligeadgang.dk.