Exploring indigenous employee voice practice: perspectives from Vietnamese public sector organisations

Abstract

This study explores how the implementation of government policy with respect to Indigenous voice practice impacts on the workplace participation of Indigenous employees in Vietnamese public sector organisations. A qualitative case study approach was adopted capturing the perspectives of managers and Indigenous employees in three public sector agencies. The findings showed that, while government policies have led to increased Indigenous workforce participation, there are a range of barriers at the organisational level that limit and undermine workplace participation. These include first, inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of these policies at the organisational level due to the reliance on the discretion of individual managers. Second, the lack of awareness and commitment or even underlying racism of non‐Indigenous managers which was exacerbated by inconsistency in direct employee voice practices. Third, trade unions played a minor role in integrating Indigenous voice with collective voice. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.