One in five working adults in UK have admitted to have faced discrimination either at work or when applying for a job, a survey by Resolution Foundation, a Think-Tank has found.
Even as discrimination was most common age and sex, over one fifth of people from ethnic background said that they have faced discrimination on the grounds of their ethnicity alone.
The element of discrimination was also experienced by the low paid workers in comparison with those paid more.
The survey notes that ‘The Equality and Human Rights Commission’ (EHRC) which is tasked to tackle discrimination in workplace and beyond, is also facing constraints with its budget cut by four-fifths in real terms since 2008-09.
Employment Tribunals, the survey says, is another means of redressal, however this is only suitable for the highly paid workers who are more likely to have resources to endure a case and the legal process.
Commenting on the report by the Resolution Foundation, Trade Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect and dignity at work. But far too many workers face discrimination just because of their race, gender, age, sexuality or class.
“Ground-breaking research published by the TUC last month found that two in five BME workers have experienced workplace discrimination, like being unfairly disciplined or passed over for training and promotion opportunities.
“Employers must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination. They must ensure that they protect and support all their staff who are subject to racial abuse – and make sure that workers who raise issues about racism are not victimised or relegated from the workplace as a result.
“Anyone worried about workplace discrimination should join their union, to make sure they are supported and represented at work.”
Earlier this year, in August, the Trade Union Congress had released a report revealing that two out of five workers from ethnic minority groups have faced racism at work.