45+ Employment Discrimination Statistics, Trends and Facts [2025]

Have you experienced discrimination at work?

Do you wonder how common such unfair treatment is?

What about the legal options for reporting such issues?

These statistics explain the different types of employment discrimination experienced by employees based on different factors like race, gender, ethnicity, religion etc.

Top Employment Discrimination Statistics – Editor’s Choice

• 80% of employees reported experiencing discrimination while working remotely. [8]
• Racial discrimination claims attain success at a rate of only 15%. [3]
• 61% of workers in the US have experienced prejudice in the workplace. [2]
• 55% of British employees also experienced it, along with 43% in France and 37% in Germany. [7]
• 66% of workers aged 45 and above are more likely to face inequity. [3]
• 45% of employees lack awareness of their company’s policies regarding workplace discrimination. [4]
• The Williams Institute discovered that nearly 45.5% of LGBT employees encountered unjust treatment in their workplace. [6]

Why is Equality Important?

Equality in the workplace is crucial as it fosters a fair environment where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.

It promotes a sense of inclusivity, boosting morale and productivity among employees.

Furthermore, it helps attract diverse talent, encourages innovation, and reflects positively on the company’s reputation, leading to a more vibrant and dynamic work culture.

• Age discrimination has been reported by 45% of the American workforce. [2]
• Just 44% of employees feel comfortable using an anonymous reporting system to report instances of discrimination. [4]
• Retaliation composes 56% of all types of discrimination claims. [3]
• 61% of Gen Z employees agreed that addressing social conflicts within the company would heighten their productivity. [3]
• 40% of workers in Germany and France complain about favoritism in the workplace. [3]
• 61% of workers claim they witnessed discrimination happen to others. [5]

Are Women Facing More Discrimination At Work?

Discrimination against women in the workplace has been a prevalent issue historically and persists in various forms today. 

Challenges like unequal pay, limited opportunities for advancement to leadership roles, and biases based on gender stereotypes continue to exist. 

Women often face unique hurdles related to family responsibilities, biases, and cultural expectations. 

• Workplace discrimination based on sex or race has been witnessed by 42% of American workers. [2]
• In the hospitality sector, women receive 79 cents in earnings for every dollar earned by men. [3]
• The filing of complaints related to equal pay discrimination constitutes 1.5% of the total. [3]
• Gender discrimination has been reported by 42% of employed women in the US. [1]
• Gender discrimination has been encountered by 53% of black women, in comparison to 40% white and hispanic women. [1]
• 25% of women receive lower income than their male counterparts for performing the same job. [1]
• 23% of women have been perceived as incompetent in the workplace. [1]
• 15% of employed women have encountered situations where they received less support from senior leaders compared to a male colleague in the same job. [1]
• 10% of working women are not assigned important tasks, in contrast to 5% of men in similar positions. [1]
• 35% of women in the workplace have been a victim of sexual harassment. [1]

Which Group Faces the Most Discrimination?

Historically marginalized groups like racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and certain religious groups have often faced systemic discrimination. 

However, the degree and nature of discrimination can vary widely within and across these groups.

And each may experience discrimination uniquely in different contexts. 

• 40% of workers have reported experiencing racial discrimination during the hiring process. [4]
• 58% of Asian Americans have been subject to unjust treatment in the office. [2]
• 33% of instances involving discrimination in the workplace are related to bias against sexual orientation. [2]
• 25% of Black and Hispanic workers experience discrimination at work. [8]
• Younger Black workers under 40 (31%) are nearly twice as likely as older Black workers aged 40 and above (17%) to face discrimination in their workplace. [8]
• Discrimination has been faced by 90% of employed individuals who identify as transgender. [2]
• 35% of Native Americans have directly encountered derogatory language at work. [2]
• Job offers are 25% less likely to be extended to applicants with disabilities. [3]
• Discrimination in the workplace was reported by 75% of individuals with a Black background. [3]

How Many Cases Can Be Resolved?

The resolution of discrimination cases varies widely depending on multiple factors.

These include the nature of the discrimination, available evidence, legal frameworks, company policies, and the willingness of involved parties to seek a resolution.

• Only 54% who reported had their matter fully resolved. [8]
• Only 21% of employees feel at ease reporting discriminatory behavior to a manager, while only 33% feel comfortable reporting such incidents to the HR department. [4]
• 95% of cases brought before EEOC district courts are settled successfully. [2]
• Indictments associated with disability, sex, race, or retaliation consist of a share exceeding 30% of the total. [3]
• 43% of individuals stating they’ve quit a job in the past because discrimination concerns were not addressed. [8]
• The average settlement for complaints is around $40,000, but the range can extend up to $300,000. [2]
• Equal-pay complaints lead to resolutions in 22.1% of cases. [3]
• Discrimination victims received $484 million in case settlements from employers in 2021. [3]

FAQs

What is unfair discrimination in the workplace?

Unfair discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer or colleague treats an individual or a group unfavorably based on certain characteristics like race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

How do you deal with discrimination at work?

Dealing with discrimination at work involves several key actions including documenting the incident, seeking support, knowing your legal options and internal reporting.Remember, the approach may vary depending on the severity of the situation, organizational policies, and legal considerations.

Can I be fired for discrimination?

If you, as an employee, are found guilty of discriminatory behavior against colleagues or clients based on their race, gender, religion, etc., it could lead to disciplinary action, including termination.

What are three examples of discrimination at work?

Most common examples of discrimination at work include unequal pay, promotion bias and harassment.

Conclusion

Discrimination in the workplace creates a toxic environment that corrodes the fundamental principles of fairness and equality.

Marginalized groups like racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and certain religious groups often face discrimination.

Women are also subjected to unique hurdles related to family responsibilities, biases, and cultural expectations.

Many cases can be resolved through internal mechanisms within organizations, such as mediation, investigation, or changes in policies or practices to rectify the issue.

Sources

1. Pew Research Center. Americans are divided on whether society overlooks racial discrimination or sees it where it doesn’t exist
2. Wenzel Fenton Cabassa. Dealing With Problems At Work? We Can Help.
3. Enterprise Apps Today. 30+ Most Shocking Employment Discrimination Statistics For 2023: The Employment Discrimination Situation In The United States 
4. CNBC. 91% of workers have faced workplace discrimination—here’s what employees can do, expert says: ‘No. 1 is to speak up and document things’
5. NASDAQ. 6 Statistics to Better Understand the Extent of Discrimination in the Workplace
6. UCLA Williams Institute. LGBT People’s Experiences of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
7. Statista. How Common Is Workplace Discrimination?
8. Gallup. One in Four Black Workers Report Discrimination at Work
9. Harvard Business Review. Do Your Employees Feel Safe Reporting Abuse and Discrimination?

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Huma Abid

Huma is a seasoned career expert with a diverse international background. She dedicates herself to empowering individuals in securing their dream jobs. Her proficiency in resume and cover letter writing techniques ensures she delivers the most current and effective advice to her readers.

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