Employers’
perspectives
on hiring
immigrants

Experiences from the Nordic countries

Employers’ perspectives on hiring immigrants

About this publication PDF

Authors and Contributors Foreword Executive summary 1. Introduction Aim and scope Background and challenges in the Nordic labour market Structure of the report 2. Methodology Research design Literature review Empirical material Methodological limitations 3. Literature review: Employers’ perspectives on and experiences with hiring immigrants 3.1 Employers’ motivations for and benefits of hiring immigrants Access to a larger labour pool Improving public image and gaining consumer support Added value of a diverse workforce 3.2 Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Structural barriers Legislative and regulatory framework Collaboration with public authorities Evaluation of educational records and skills validation Organisational barriers Financial concerns Management challenges Workforce and managers’ attitudes Bias and discrimination Individual barriers Poor language skills Insufficient professional skills Cultural differences 4. Structure and characteristics of wage subsidies: Incentives for employers to enhance the integration of immigrants DENMARK FINLAND ICELAND NORWAY SWEDEN Discussion 5. Nordic examples of employers hiring immigrants Scandic Pelagic, Denmark Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers IKEA, Finland Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers Snellman, Finland Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers Kronan grocery store, Iceland Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers Blåveis Department in Andebu care home, Norway Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers A Nordic hotel chain, Norway Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers McDonald’s Visby, Sweden Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers Region Gotland, Sweden Motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Challenges and barriers to hiring and integrating immigrants Integration approach and enablers 6. Key insights and learnings from Nordic employers Primary motivations and benefits of hiring immigrants Main challenges for hiring immigrants and how they can be overcome Enablers for hiring and integrating immigrants Collaboration with public authorities Collaboration with third-sector actors 7. Nordic learnings and conclusions Appendix 1. Interview guide Appendix 2. List of interviewees References

Nordic Council of Ministers I www.norden.org/publications I pub@norden.org