In today's workplace, many women and BIPOC employees (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) face unique challenges regarding confidence and feeling valued in their job.
According to recent data, 21% of BIPOC employees reported that, in their current workplaces, more than half of the total employees are BIPOC. Similarly, 57% of women in the workforce report that more than half of the employees in their workplace are women. However, despite this representation, many women and BIPOC employees do not feel comfortable or confident in their workplace.
To determine the level of confidence women and BIPOC employees have in their workplace, we surveyed over 1,000 employed women and BIPOC about their thoughts and feelings related to their employers. Topics included equality, discrimination, and representation. Read on to see what we uncovered.
Women & BIPOC in the workplace
Respect in the workplace
Discrimination against BIPOC individuals in the workforce is a systemic issue that requires a multifaceted approach to solve. In our survey, almost 20% of the BIPOC who responded have felt discriminated against at their current workplace. For female BIPOC, that statistic increases to nearly 30%. To combat this, organizations can employ regular anti-discrimination and anti-bias training to raise awareness of the issue in the workplace, as well as provide employees with the tools and knowledge to identify and address discrimination when it occurs.
For women and BIPOC, feeling respected and safe at work is an ongoing struggle. Only 8% of employed female BIPOC claim that their current employer would react to a discrimination claim with respect and attentiveness. 25% of employed Gen Z women say there have been instances where they felt uncomfortable wearing particular articles of clothing at work, while 38% of employed women believe that if they filed a sexual harassment or assault claim at their current workplace, it would not be taken seriously.
While it is something many of us take for granted, everyone has a right to a safe and respectful work environment. Sexual harassment violates an individual's basic human rights, and all allegations should be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity. Allowing these abusive behaviors to continue sends a message that it does not value the well-being of all its employees.
Representation at work
Representation can be hard for women in the workforce, especially in leadership roles. Only 40% of women say they work under a female manager, meaning finding a mentor they can easily relate to is challenging at best. Outside of management, 43% of the women we surveyed say that men make up more than half of the total employees.
Although 70% of employed BIPOC individuals believe that their current workplace is diverse, a significant portion of 33% does not feel valued in their current positions. Additionally, many BIPOC respondents feel underrepresented in their field, with 10% reporting that they do not have any other BIPOC colleagues to turn to at work.
In any of these scenarios, simply having a diverse workforce does not automatically mean every employee feels a sense of belonging and being valued. It is equally important for employers to actively work towards creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all employees to feel appreciated.
Paycheck equality and justice for all
There is still much work to be done regarding pay equality in the United States. 46% of employed BIPOC individuals feel confident asking for a raise at their current workplace, while just 36% of employed women feel the same, indicating a lack of confidence among BIPOC and female employees in asking for fair compensation.
Additionally, 1 in 4 employed BIPOC individuals believe they are not receiving equal pay compared to their white-Caucasian or non-BIPOC coworkers in the same position as them. Part of this could be due to a lack of support and mentorship in the workplace. Moving forward, employers should actively foster an environment where employees feel confident asking for fair compensation and where wage transparency is the new norm.
Closing thoughts
Despite progress in the fight against discrimination, many individuals still experience bias in their workplaces. For this study, we wanted to uncover the level of confidence and trust that BIPOC employees and female employees have in their current roles, and to understand how much further we have to go to ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all.
At Deputy, we believe that every employee brings valuable skills and perspectives to the table. We understand that effective hiring, onboarding, staffing, and scheduling are essential to the success of any business, and it cannot be achieved without the contributions of a diverse group of individuals.
Methodology
In late 2022, we surveyed over 1,000 employed individuals, including more than 500 females and more than 500 BIPOC workers, to gather insights on their experiences in the workplace. The survey focused on topics such as equality, discrimination, and representation to gain a better understanding of the perspectives and feelings of confidence of these minority groups in their work environments.
