The Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) receives tens of thousands of discrimination complaints every year. These complaints are filed by people of all ages, ethnicities, races, genders, and religions. The diverse group of complainants proves that workplace discrimination can affect many different types of people. However, a new report reveals that younger workers may experience discrimination more often than others.
Workplace Discrimination and Younger Workers
A survey conducted by Glassdoor and Harris Poll found that three out of every five workers in the U.S. have either witnessed workplace discrimination or been a victim of it. But workers between the ages of 18 and 34 were more likely than workers in other age groups to report witnessing discrimination or being discriminated against.
About half of the younger workers surveyed claimed to have witnessed or experienced race discrimination in the workplace. However, only 33% of workers over the age of 55 said they had witnessed or experienced racism at work. More than half of the younger workers reported that they have been exposed to gender discrimination, whereas only 30% of workers over 55 made this statement. The results also revealed that younger workers were more likely than older workers to report witnessing or being discriminated against based on their age.
Are Younger Workers At A Higher Risk of Discrimination?
There are several different ways to interpret the results of this survey. Some people believe that this survey shows that younger workers are truly discriminated against more often than their older peers.
The results could also indicate that younger workers are simply more aware of discrimination and harassment issues in the workplace. Because of this increased awareness, younger workers may simply be able to spot more discriminatory actions than their older peers.
It’s also possible that the definition of what is and is not discrimination varies from age group to age group. Younger workers may perceive certain actions as discriminatory, whereas older workers may think the behavior is appropriate. This difference in opinion could lead to a higher number of complaints from the younger generation of workers.
These results are open to interpretation. But one thing is clear: the results show that people of all ages are still experiencing or witnessing discrimination in the workplace.
If you have been discriminated against at work, contact Armstrong & Vaught, P.L.C. at once. Let our experienced attorneys hold your employer accountable for violating your rights in the workplace. Call us at (918) 582-2500 or toll-free at (800) 722-8880 or complete the simple form below for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.