How exposure to natives in the workplace affects cultural assimilation among non-Western immigrants.

This article investigates how workplace exposure to native Danes influences the cultural assimilation of first-generation non-Western immigrants in Denmark. Using linked survey and administrative register data, the study finds that greater exposure to native colleagues correlates with a higher likelihood of immigrants identifying as Danish or partly Danish, highlighting that employment alone is insufficient for assimilation without meaningful intergroup contact. The positive effect of workplace exposure on assimilation strengthens with longer residence in Denmark but is significantly weakened by immigrants' experiences of discrimination. These findings suggest that assimilation policies should not only promote employment but also ensure opportunities for non-discriminatory interaction between immigrants and natives in the workplace to enhance cultural integration.