Gender discrimination is widespread at work

Half of all Britons believe they have experienced discrimination at work, according to new research. A survey of 1,973 employees found that more than half (53%) had felt discriminated against while in work.

The study by HR consultancy Reabur.com found that over two-thirds of respondents (68%) said they had felt discriminated against because of their gender. The second most common reason was “weight” with 57% saying they had felt discriminated against due to their size.

Meanwhile, nearly a third (31%) of the respondents stated that they had felt discriminated against by their current or previous employer due to their race.

According to the study, around one in eight of respondents (13%) had left a previous role due to feeling discriminated against by their employer or fellow employees.

Other reasons given for feeling discriminated against at work were marital status (29%); political views (27%); salary (25%); sexuality (22%); academic qualifications (19%); where they live (19%); and dress sense (11%).

Of the 53% that said they felt they had been discriminated against while at work, more than three-quarters (76%) were women.

Kirsty Burgess, Reabur co-managing director, said feeling as though you are being discriminated against in the workplace is a serious matter and should be addressed straight away.

“No employee should feel as though they aren’t treated equally for any reason,” she said.