New research suggests that many workplaces are a potential hotbed of discriminatory behaviour, with peoples’ age, appearance and gender often being used against them in work settings.
A survey of 4,000 UK adults, commissioned by HR software and eLearning content provider Ciphr, found that nearly half (45%) have experienced unfair discrimination while at work or when job hunting. 
Of those, nearly two-fifths (38%) say they have been discriminated against at work. And a similar number (39%) believe they've been turned down for a job they were qualified for, due to discrimination of some kind during the recruitment process. 
The findings show that workplace discrimination appears to be more common for people at the beginning of their working careers and for people from ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities).
Over three-quarters (76%) of survey respondents from Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, and two-thirds (65%) of those from Asian or Asian British ethnic groups, say they have suffered discriminatory experiences at work or faced hiring bias (compared to the survey average of 45%). 

Ageism most common form of workplace bias

Ciphr’s workplace discrimination study also sheds more light on the most prevalent forms of discrimination that most people come up against. 
On average, nearly one in five (19%) adults living in the UK have faced ageism at some point in their careers; either at their current workplace, a previous workplace or a prospective one. Among those who reported experiencing age discrimination, nearly one in six (17%) men and one in seven (14%) women believe they’ve been treated unfavourably by recruiters based on their age.

What can employers do?

Claire Williams, chief people and operations officer at Ciphr, says: “Any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, and intolerance in the workplace is unacceptable and can have a huge negative impact on people’s lives. It can take a considerable toll on their mental and physical health, and their self-esteem, and be incredibly stressful to cope with. It can also derail careers, with unfair dismissals or people not being given equal opportunities to progress and be paid fairly. 
Given that 45% of the UK population equating to millions of workers across all demographics are said to have experienced some form of workplace discrimination, employers are being urged to take more action.

Some of the actions that organisations can take to protect their employees from workplace discrimination include: 

• Introduce dedicated diversity training to educate leaders and staff on key principles, on the different types of discrimination (as well as bias, stereotyping and prejudice), and on the law
• Carry out a bespoke survey to understand how staff really experience the workplace culture and identify any issues that need to be tackled immediately
• Use diversity monitoring to understand workforce demographics. This will also help highlight recruitment outcomes (and internal promotion trends) that could signal discriminatory processes or discriminatory behaviours
• Introduce best practice policies and procedures that commit to anti-discrimination and address how discriminatory acts will be dealt with. Ensure employees know how they can raise or report discrimination-related issues or obtain guidance or support
• Develop mindsets of responsibility, enquiry and speaking up set expectations for all employees, implemented from the top down, around acceptable behaviours and everyday practice