Micro-inequities and immigration backgrounds in the software industry

Micro-inequities are subtle, repetitive, and often unintentional forms of negative messaging, that can account for a significant burden over time. Research shows that racial and gender minority groups are more likely to experience micro-inequities, and that micro-inequities have a significant negative effect on self-esteem, work performance and career advancement. However, research on micro-inequities among software practitioners, particularly with an immigration perspective, is non-existent. To bridge this gap, we investigate the experiences of software practitioners, regarding micro-inequities from an immigration perspective. We surveyed 135 immigrant and non-immigrant software practitioners working in technical roles about verbal, nonverbal and environmental micro-inequities. Our results show that immigrants experience nine out of 27 investigated forms of micro-inequities significantly more than non-immigrants. These include not being given credit for their work, feeling excluded from key social or networking opportunities and being assumed to be less competent, assertive or intelligent. Our study can serve as an incentive for practitioners to adopt (more) inclusive work practices and to raise awareness about micro-inequities in the community. Lay Abstract: Micro-inequities are subtle, repetitive, and often unintentional forms of negative messaging, that can account for a significant burden over time. While research shows that underrepresented groups are more likely to experience micro-inequities, they have not been extensively studied in the software industry. In our work we survey 135 software practitioners regarding their experiences with micro-inequities in the software industry from an immigration perspective. Our findings show that immigrants experience some forms of micro-inequities significantly more than non-immigrants.