Refugee recruitment and workplace integration: an opportunity for human resource management scholarship and impact

Employment underpins the successful resettlement and integration of refugees, and human resource (HR) professionals are integral to successful employee–employer relationships. Until recently, research has largely overlooked the role of HR professionals in the recruitment and integration of employees at work. Reviewing the literature on refugee employment through an HR lens, this review offers insights and practical solutions that contribute to the effective recruitment and workplace integration of refugees. We identify strategies such as onboarding programs, job enrichment and internships that offer realistic job previews, and the opportunity for people from a refugee background to validate and demonstrate their credentials. In addition, we describe the benefits of organisations’ engagement in external relationship management to champion changes in industrial relations and foster cross-sector partnerships that aid refugee employment. In the discussion, we describe the practical implications of our review, and highlight directions for future research that addresses different stakeholder needs and priorities.