Nearly two thirds of Irish workers subject to far right discrimination at work

Discrimination remains a significant issue in Irish workplaces as three in four workers in Ireland (74%) have responded to a recent survey saying there is an issue with far-right sentiment amongst their colleagues.

25% of people say that there has been a recent rise in far-right sentiment or behaviour in their workplace.

Of those who highlighted this behaviour, two thirds (63%) of workers reported a marked increase in discriminatory remarks or jokes at work while half responded that colleagues were minimising or dismissing verified facts related to discrimination of minority groups.

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Additionally, one in two workers responded to the survey saying that they noticed colleagues spreading misinformation, disinformation and/or conspiracy theories and more than a third said colleagues were openly opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace.

Of those surveyed, one third (33%) disclosed that they have personally experienced discrimination and a quarter (27%) have witnessed and experience discrimination at work.

Matrix Recruitment published the first part of its annual Workplace Equality Report this week highlighting that more than half of workers in Ireland (57%) have said that their career progression has been hindered by discrimination and three in four (77%) have left or considered leaving a job because of this issue.

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According to 36% of respondents, gender discrimination is the most common form of workplace discrimination (up from 25% in 2023). This was followed closely by pay and age discrimination (33% each) and ethnic discrimination (25%).

Speaking about the survey results, Rena Weld, Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment said: "It is clear from our survey findings that discrimination remains a significant issue in Irish workplaces. It's alarming to see how many people have either experienced or witnessed it firsthand, and that so many careers have been affected.

"Employers need to understand that they have a fundamental responsibility to address these kinds of issues in the workplace. The fact that nearly all respondents (97%) say employers should actively provide support speaks volumes. It’s time for workplaces to take real, decisive action to ensure equality and fairness for all staff."

Over a third of workers (37%) said they knew a colleague of the opposite sex and with the same role/responsibility who is being paid more than them. Of those, 41% were women while just 18% of men said the same thing.

When asked if they feel there is a ‘glass ceiling’ for women in the workplace in Ireland, meaning a barrier preventing women from advancing their career, almost three in four workers (72%) responded that there is. However, of those, more than a third (37%) say that things are improving slowly.

In relation to promotional opportunities, almost two thirds of respondents (62%) agree that men have greater opportunities, while more than a third (35%) say that there are equal opportunities between the sexes.

The seventh Matrix Workplace Equality Survey was conducted online in August among 1,283 adults in Ireland working across a broad range of industries, sectors and regions.