Ireland’s Workers Highlight Issues of Discrimination, Ageism and Rise in Far-right in 2024 Workplace Equality Survey Sentiment

Three in four workers in Ireland (74%) say there is an issue with discrimination in their workplace, a new survey by Matrix Recruitment has found. Of those, one-third (33%) have personally experienced discrimination, and a quarter (27%) have witnessed and experienced discrimination at work.

The recruitment company published the first part of its annual Workplace Equality Report today, highlighting the more than half of workers in Ireland (57%) who say 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.

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.”

Rise in Far-Right Sentiment at Work

Worryingly, one in four (25%) people surveyed say there has been a recent rise in far-right sentiment or behaviour in their workplace. When asked in what way this ‘far right’ sentiment manifested:

63% reported a marked increase in discriminatory remarks or jokes at work
Half responded that colleagues were minimising or dismissing verified facts related to discrimination of minority groups
One in two (48%) said that they noticed colleagues spreading misinformation, disinformation and/or conspiracy theories and
More than one third said that colleagues were openly opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace

Greater Opportunities for Men?

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 (versus 18% of men).

When asked if they feel there is a ‘glass ceiling’ for women in the workplace in Ireland, ie. 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.

Age Discrimination

When it came to age discrimination, the Matrix Workplace Equality Report highlighted the almost three in four (71%) respondents who say that Ireland has an issue with ageism in the workplace, down slightly on last year’s results (78%, 2023). The same number (71%) say that people over 50 have fewer promotional opportunities compared to younger colleagues.

Despite this, the vast majority of people (96%) agree that workers aged over 50 have as much to contribute to the workplace as those under 40. Years of experience, mentorship, loyalty and reliability were all key attributes that those over 50 contribute to the workplace, according to respondents.

Of the minority who said that over 50s don’t have as much to contribute to the workplace:

—  More than half (58%) responded that older people are not as up to speed with technology compared to younger workers, which is a year-on-year rise (43% in 2023 and 36% in 2022).

—  48% said that younger people have more energy to bring to a job

—  44% responded that older people are stuck in their ways and

—  Almost one in three (30%) said that older people do not understand new ways of communicating

Speaking about the findings, Rena Weld stated: “The notion that older workers are not as technologically competent as younger colleagues is not new, but it’s interesting to see how this perception has deepened over the past three years – this may be attributed to the increasing use of AI technology in the workplace. Over the past 12 months, we have really started to see how this new technology is changing our world of work and how job roles are changing as a result. Key to resolving this issue is to offer employees the opportunity to upskill and provide in-house training to ensure that all employees, regardless of age, can get on board with these new ways of working.”

About the survey

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.