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INFOGRAPHIC: Challenges Faced by Underrepresented Workers (Backed by Data)

Light blue background. Circle crop image of a Black woman, a white woman in a wheelchair, an Asian man, and a Black man in the workplace. Navy accent circle. Insight Global logo. Title: Challenges Faced by Underrepresented Workers

There are multiple dimensions of diversity in the workplace, but certain underrepresented groups face unique challenges in finding meaningful employment and inclusive work environments. Part of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace is understanding these challenges.

The data is clear... People from underrepresented groups face significant challenges in the workplace. They are more likely to experience discrimination and less likely to find meaningful employment. This can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health, their career advancement, and their overall well-being.

Veterans

Veterans often struggle to transition back to civilian life after serving in the military. This is even more true for veterans with a disability.

Title: Veterans Veterans are less likely to hold managerial or executive-level positions compared to non-veterans. It takes female veterans twice as long to find employment after returning home than male veterans. Veterans with a disability* are half as likely to be employed as veterans without a disability. *As defined by the American Community Survey (ACS) Sources: Hill & Ponton, ADA National Network

LGBTQIA+ People

LGBTQIA+ people often struggle with exclusionary workplaces. One survey found that almost half reported experiencing unfair treatment at work. Another survey found that almost half are closeted at work, and more than half heard coworkers joke about LGBTQIA+ people.

Title: LGBTQIA+ 46% of LGBT workers reported experiencing unfair treatment at work, including being fired, not hired, or harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity at some point in their lives. 46% of LGBTQ+ workers say they are closeted at work. 53% of LGBTQ workers report hearing jokes about lesbian or gay people (and 41% transgender-specific and 37% bisexual-specific jokes). Sources: Williams Institute, Human Rights Campaign

Older Workers

Age discrimination in the workplace is also an issue. One survey found that almost half of older workers reported experiencing age discrimination after turning 40.

Title: Age 

64% of adults aged 50+ think older workers face discrimination in the workplace based on age. 

48% of workers have experienced age discrimination since turning 40. 

In 2021, 21.1% of EEOC cases were for age discrimination. Many of the EEOC cases filed have more than one discrimination charge, but 21.1% of all charges were for age discrimination.   

In 2021, 12,965 age discrimination cases were filed. 

Sources: AARP, EEOC

Women

We’ve written before about women in the workplace, the glass ceiling, and the broken rung. Here’s a quick look at some of those relevant data points.

Title: Women A 2017 Pew Research Survey revealed that 42% of women in the United States say they have faced workplace gender discrimination. 2023 saw the highest number of women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, with 53 women holding that role, or about 11%. Only two of those women are black women, which is just 0.4% of all Fortune 500 CEOs. For every 100 men who are promoted from entry-level roles to manager positions, only 87 women are promoted. 37% of women leaders have had a coworker get credit for their idea, compared to 27% of men leaders. Sources: Pew Research, Fast Company, McKinsey

Disabled People

People with disabilities have a harder time finding jobs than able-bodied people. In addition, they often experience workplace discrimination due to their disabilities.

Title: People with Disabilities 42% of those who acknowledged disabilities at work say they have personally experienced discrimination. Many of EEOC cases filed have more than one discrimination charge, but in 2021, 37.2% of all charges included disability discrimination. In 2021, 22,843 disability discrimination cases were filed. Non-disabled people are nearly three times more likely than disabled people to be employed. Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Boston Consulting Group, EEOC

BIPOC

Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color (BIPOC) often experience discrimination in the workplace. They’re also subject to the same glass ceiling that women face.

Title: BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, People of Color 24% of Black and Hispanic employees report having been discriminated against at work in the past year. 45% of Black workers would switch companies for a more inclusive culture. As of 2022, 22% of Asian American adults say they have experienced at least one form of workplace discrimination because of their race or ethnicity. 79% of U.S. adults describe racial bias in hiring and performance evaluations as a problem. In 2024, eight CEOs at Fortune 500 companies are Black, or about 1.5%. Sources: Gallup, Pew Research, Fortune, QuestionPro Workforce

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