Member Article

Is Britain a discrimi-nation?

Nearly a third of workers have witnessed discrimination in the workplace, according to new research. London tops the poll for racially motivated workplace discrimination, with one in four having actually experienced racism at work. Almost three quarters (72%) of people say they would take action if they witnessed racism in the workplace, with almost a third willing to confront the perpetrator.

Vee Wilkinson, a diversity expert at Amazing Education, who carried out the research, said: “This is encouraging. “However, it does leave a rather alarming 18 per cent who would simply turn a blind eye to racism at work, and a very worrying one in 20 who still think that this type of behaviour can be passed off as ‘office banter’. That ‘office banter’ could end up costing employers millions of pounds if someone else feels it is discrimination.”

More than three quarters of those who took part in the research feel that responsibility for educating people’s attitudes lies with employers. Despite this, workplace training is woefully low, with less than 20% of employers providing training on race, sex or age discrimination issues. The research also found that areas with high levels of training had lower than average levels of discriminatory behaviour.

Vee said: “It is quite surprising in this day and age that these problems still exist in the UK, particularly when it is so apparent that, where training is provided, the workplace is a more cohesive and productive place.”

For full details of all the results please visit www.amazing-education.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .