Anger at extent of prejudice against non-white women in UK workplaces
NEW research has revealed that 75 per cent of women of colour have experienced racism at work in the UK, with 27 per cent having suffered racial slurs.
The report released last Wednesday (25) by the gender equality organisation the Fawcett Society, and the race equality thinktank the Runnymede Trust, also said that women of colour are being locked out of reaching their true potential during every stage of their career, from entering work to senior leadership.
The report documented experiences of 2,000 women of colour in workplaces across the UK. Of them, 61 per cent said they changed themselves to “fit in” at work, from changing the language or words they use, their hairstyle and even their names.
According to the research, 39 per cent of respondents said their wellbeing was impacted by a lack of progression, compared to 28 per cent of white women. As many as 43 per cent of women said that denial of promotion led to loss of motivation.
About 28 per cent of women of colour said their managers had blocked their progression at work, compared to 19 per cent of white women, and 42 per cent reported being passed over for promotion despite good performance reviews.
They also faced recruitment discrimination, with 52 per cent saying they were asked for UK qualifications or English as a first language and ethnicity information.
Jemima Olchawksi, CEO of the Fawcett Society, said it was “sickening that three-quarters of women of colour have experienced racism at work”.
“We just can’t accept this as a society. If we want to be a country where everyone can achieve their potential, to progress and make the most of their talents, then we need serious and concerted action to address this.”
Data also revealed that around half of women of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage and those of black African heritage were criticised for behaviour that their other colleagues got away with at work, compared to 29 per cent of white British women.
Black women of Caribbean heritage, and women of East Asian and Chinese heritage were the least likely to report feeling comfortable “often” or “always” in their workplace culture.
The report added that 53 per cent of Muslim women changed the clothes they wore at work, compared to 37 per cent of Christian women and 32 per cent of non-religious women.
Dr Halima Begum, CEO, Runnymede Trust, said: “Women of colour face double jeopardy. From school to the workplace, there are structural barriers standing between them and the opportunities they deserve. Our landmark research exists to support them to thrive in their workplaces, and to challenge employers to harness the talents, skills and experiences of their employees, or risk losing them.”
The report has urged the government to back a business-led initiative to tackle ethnicity and gender pay gaps, and accelerate change on progression and representation. It also called for legislation to ban salary history questions and require salaries to be published on job advertisements.
According to the research, employers should implement effective, evidence-based anti-racism action plans with clear and measurable targets, and regularly monitor and evaluate of progress.
It also appealed for setting up clear and transparent processes for reporting racism and set structures that ensure line managers deliver equitable and fair promotion outcomes for all employees.