GITNUX REPORT 2024

Workplace Discrimination: Alarming Statistics Reveal Widespread Inequality and Bias

Eye-opening statistics reveal pervasive workplace discrimination – a call to action for change now.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

33% of workers aged 45 and older have experienced age discrimination

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58% of workers aged 50+ believe age discrimination begins in their 50s

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64% of older workers say they've seen or experienced age discrimination

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61% of older workers have either seen or experienced age discrimination

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78% of older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination

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64% of workers aged 45-74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination

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76% of older workers see age discrimination as a hurdle to finding a new job

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58% of workers believe age discrimination begins among workers in their 50s

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44% of older job applicants say they have been asked for age-related information

Statistic 10

67% of workers aged 45-74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination

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53% of older workers have been prematurely forced out of a job

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19.1% of people with disabilities faced workplace discrimination

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31% of workers with disabilities report discrimination in the hiring process

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26% of people with disabilities report workplace discrimination in the past year

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36% of people with disabilities report experiencing workplace discrimination

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45% of Americans believe discrimination against people with disabilities is a serious problem

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33% of employees with disabilities report experiencing discrimination

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36% of people with disabilities report experiencing workplace discrimination in the past five years

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28% of Americans with disabilities say they have encountered barriers to employment

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19% of people with disabilities say they have been refused a job interview

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34% of workers with disabilities say their employer has failed to provide reasonable accommodation

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25% of people with disabilities say they have been paid less than others in similar positions

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42% of women in the US have experienced gender discrimination at work

Statistic 24

60% of women in tech report experiencing gender discrimination

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3 in 5 women engineers have experienced gender discrimination at work

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50% of women in STEM jobs have experienced gender discrimination at work

Statistic 27

29% of women say their gender has made it harder to succeed at work

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42% of working women say they have faced discrimination on the job because of their gender

Statistic 29

25% of women say they earn less than a man doing the same job

Statistic 30

23% of women say they have been treated as incompetent because of their gender

Statistic 31

22% of women say they have been paid less than a man doing the same job

Statistic 32

49% of women in science, engineering, and technology jobs report experiencing discrimination

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27% of women say they have been denied a promotion because of their gender

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36% of LGBTQ+ Americans report workplace discrimination

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46% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted at work

Statistic 36

42% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted due to fear of being stereotyped

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20% of LGBTQ+ Americans have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when applying for jobs

Statistic 38

53% of LGBTQ+ employees hide their identity at work

Statistic 39

46% of LGBTQ+ workers say they are closeted at work

Statistic 40

42% of LGBTQ+ workers say they are not fully open about their identity at work

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31% of LGBTQ+ workers say they have felt unhappy or depressed at work

Statistic 42

20% of LGBTQ+ Americans have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when applying for jobs

Statistic 43

36% of LGBTQ+ employees say they've lied about their personal lives at work

Statistic 44

30% of LGBTQ+ workers fear losing connections and relationships by being open about their identity

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1 in 4 Black and Hispanic workers report experiencing discrimination at work

Statistic 46

76% of African Americans say racism is a big problem in the US workplace

Statistic 47

42% of Black Americans say they have experienced racial discrimination at work

Statistic 48

48% of African Americans say they have been treated unfairly in hiring, pay, or promotion

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24% of Black workers say they've been passed over for a promotion due to race

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56% of Black employees have experienced racial prejudice at work

Statistic 51

31% of Black Americans say they have been discriminated against in the workplace

Statistic 52

40% of Black workers feel they've been discriminated against at work in the past year

Statistic 53

33% of Black Americans say they have experienced discrimination when applying for jobs

Statistic 54

59% of Black workers say they have experienced racial discrimination at work

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21% of Black employees feel someone of their race would never achieve a top position at their company

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67% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace

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54% of women report receiving unwanted sexual advances at work

Statistic 58

81% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime

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38% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace

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55% of women in tech have experienced sexual harassment at work

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72% of workplace sexual harassment victims do not report the incident

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58% of women have experienced sexual harassment at work, in school, or in public spaces

Statistic 63

35% of women in corporate America experience sexual harassment

Statistic 64

54% of women in tech report experiencing unwanted sexual advances

Statistic 65

81% of women have experienced verbal sexual harassment

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Summary

  • 42% of women in the US have experienced gender discrimination at work
  • 1 in 4 Black and Hispanic workers report experiencing discrimination at work
  • 33% of workers aged 45 and older have experienced age discrimination
  • 36% of LGBTQ+ Americans report workplace discrimination
  • 19.1% of people with disabilities faced workplace discrimination
  • 67% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace
  • 60% of women in tech report experiencing gender discrimination
  • 76% of African Americans say racism is a big problem in the US workplace
  • 58% of workers aged 50+ believe age discrimination begins in their 50s
  • 46% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted at work
  • 31% of workers with disabilities report discrimination in the hiring process
  • 54% of women report receiving unwanted sexual advances at work
  • 3 in 5 women engineers have experienced gender discrimination at work
  • 42% of Black Americans say they have experienced racial discrimination at work
  • 64% of older workers say they've seen or experienced age discrimination

Workplace discrimination: where the most common office supplies are bias, prejudice, and a side of inequality. Women facing gender discrimination, Black and Hispanic workers dealing with racial biases, LGBTQ+ employees staying closeted, and older workers feeling the sting of ageism – it’s like a toxic potluck of inequality. With statistics painting a picture as bleak as a water cooler full of lukewarm chitchat, it’s time to address the elephant in the room (and no, were not talking about Toby from HR).

Age Discrimination

  • 33% of workers aged 45 and older have experienced age discrimination
  • 58% of workers aged 50+ believe age discrimination begins in their 50s
  • 64% of older workers say they've seen or experienced age discrimination
  • 61% of older workers have either seen or experienced age discrimination
  • 78% of older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination
  • 64% of workers aged 45-74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination
  • 76% of older workers see age discrimination as a hurdle to finding a new job
  • 58% of workers believe age discrimination begins among workers in their 50s
  • 44% of older job applicants say they have been asked for age-related information
  • 67% of workers aged 45-74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination
  • 53% of older workers have been prematurely forced out of a job

Interpretation

In a world where wine is considered better with age, it seems that some workplaces missed the memo. The statistics speak for themselves, with experienced workers being sidelined based on nothing but the number of candles on their birthday cake. From job searches to getting the boot before their time, it's clear that age discrimination is not just a number—it's a major hurdle in the professional race. Perhaps it's time for companies to swap out their outdated calendars for a more diverse and inclusive mindset. After all, talent knows no expiration date.

Disability Discrimination

  • 19.1% of people with disabilities faced workplace discrimination
  • 31% of workers with disabilities report discrimination in the hiring process
  • 26% of people with disabilities report workplace discrimination in the past year
  • 36% of people with disabilities report experiencing workplace discrimination
  • 45% of Americans believe discrimination against people with disabilities is a serious problem
  • 33% of employees with disabilities report experiencing discrimination
  • 36% of people with disabilities report experiencing workplace discrimination in the past five years
  • 28% of Americans with disabilities say they have encountered barriers to employment
  • 19% of people with disabilities say they have been refused a job interview
  • 34% of workers with disabilities say their employer has failed to provide reasonable accommodation
  • 25% of people with disabilities say they have been paid less than others in similar positions

Interpretation

In a world where progress is measured in inclusivity, these workplace discrimination statistics serve as a glaring reminder of the work that still needs to be done. From the alarming percentages of people with disabilities facing discrimination in hiring processes to the concerning lack of reasonable accommodations by employers, it is evident that biases are firmly entrenched in our workplaces. While 45% of Americans recognizing the serious issue of discrimination against people with disabilities is a step in the right direction, action must follow suit to ensure that equality is not just a buzzword, but a lived reality for all individuals in the workforce. It's time for companies to step up, embrace diversity, and create truly inclusive work environments where every employee is valued and respected.

Gender Discrimination

  • 42% of women in the US have experienced gender discrimination at work
  • 60% of women in tech report experiencing gender discrimination
  • 3 in 5 women engineers have experienced gender discrimination at work
  • 50% of women in STEM jobs have experienced gender discrimination at work
  • 29% of women say their gender has made it harder to succeed at work
  • 42% of working women say they have faced discrimination on the job because of their gender
  • 25% of women say they earn less than a man doing the same job
  • 23% of women say they have been treated as incompetent because of their gender
  • 22% of women say they have been paid less than a man doing the same job
  • 49% of women in science, engineering, and technology jobs report experiencing discrimination
  • 27% of women say they have been denied a promotion because of their gender

Interpretation

With statistics like these, it seems like gender discrimination in the workplace is as common as Monday morning coffee. From tech to engineering, STEM to corporate boardrooms, women are still fighting an uphill battle against bias and inequality. It's a tale as old as time, but it's about time for a new chapter. It's not rocket science, it's common sense – equal pay, equal opportunities, and equal respect should be the norm, not the exception. After all, the only place where a glass ceiling belongs is in a fancy office building, not stifling the potential of hardworking and capable individuals.

LGBTQ+ Discrimination

  • 36% of LGBTQ+ Americans report workplace discrimination
  • 46% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted at work
  • 42% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted due to fear of being stereotyped
  • 20% of LGBTQ+ Americans have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when applying for jobs
  • 53% of LGBTQ+ employees hide their identity at work
  • 46% of LGBTQ+ workers say they are closeted at work
  • 42% of LGBTQ+ workers say they are not fully open about their identity at work
  • 31% of LGBTQ+ workers say they have felt unhappy or depressed at work
  • 20% of LGBTQ+ Americans have experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when applying for jobs
  • 36% of LGBTQ+ employees say they've lied about their personal lives at work
  • 30% of LGBTQ+ workers fear losing connections and relationships by being open about their identity

Interpretation

In a corporate world where diversity and inclusion are often touted as buzzwords, these statistics paint a stark reality for LGBTQ+ employees. From the closeted workers hiding behind a facade of fear to the discrimination faced during job applications, it's evident that the workplace is still a battleground for acceptance. The irony is palpable as these individuals navigate a fine line between authenticity and survival, forced to weigh their professional success against their personal identity. It's high time for companies to move beyond rainbow flags and empty promises, and instead, foster a truly inclusive environment where everyone can thrive openly and unapologetically.

Racial Discrimination

  • 1 in 4 Black and Hispanic workers report experiencing discrimination at work
  • 76% of African Americans say racism is a big problem in the US workplace
  • 42% of Black Americans say they have experienced racial discrimination at work
  • 48% of African Americans say they have been treated unfairly in hiring, pay, or promotion
  • 24% of Black workers say they've been passed over for a promotion due to race
  • 56% of Black employees have experienced racial prejudice at work
  • 31% of Black Americans say they have been discriminated against in the workplace
  • 40% of Black workers feel they've been discriminated against at work in the past year
  • 33% of Black Americans say they have experienced discrimination when applying for jobs
  • 59% of Black workers say they have experienced racial discrimination at work
  • 21% of Black employees feel someone of their race would never achieve a top position at their company

Interpretation

In a workplace where discrimination statistics read like a horror story, it's no surprise that Black and Hispanic workers are feeling more like obstacles than assets. With a whopping 76% of African Americans flagging racism as a significant issue in the US workplace, it's time for companies to realize that diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords – they're vital to creating a fair and thriving work environment. When nearly a quarter of Black workers report being passed over for promotions due to race, it's clear that the hard truth of systemic bias must be confronted head-on. Until every employee has an equal shot at success, these grim statistics will continue to cast a long shadow over the American workplace.

Sexual Harassment

  • 67% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace
  • 54% of women report receiving unwanted sexual advances at work
  • 81% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime
  • 38% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace
  • 55% of women in tech have experienced sexual harassment at work
  • 72% of workplace sexual harassment victims do not report the incident
  • 58% of women have experienced sexual harassment at work, in school, or in public spaces
  • 35% of women in corporate America experience sexual harassment
  • 54% of women in tech report experiencing unwanted sexual advances
  • 81% of women have experienced verbal sexual harassment

Interpretation

In a striking display of statistical proof, it seems that the workplace has become an unfortunate breeding ground for inappropriate behavior towards women. From unwanted advances to explicit verbal harassment, the numbers paint a troubling picture of a society still grappling with issues of sexism and discrimination. Despite the prevalence of these experiences, it is disheartening to note that a majority of victims choose to suffer in silence, perhaps out of fear or a lack of faith in the system's ability to provide justice. These figures are not just numbers on a page, but a stark reminder of the collective responsibility we hold to create safe and respectful work environments for all. It's time for actions to speak louder than these alarming statistics.

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