American workers under the age of 35 are more likely to see and experience discrimination at the office, according to a new survey, indicating how different generations can view the same behavior, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Three out of every five workers have either witnessed or been a target of some form of discrimination at work, based on their age, race, sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a survey from job review website Glassdoor and a Harris Poll of 1,100 U.S. employees across age groups. But people between the ages of 18 and 34 were far more likely than other age cohorts to report having witnessed or being subject to each type of discrimination.
The current wave of young workers has come of age during a time of increased awareness about harassment and diversity issues, says Carina Cortez, Glassdoor’s chief people officer. As a result, they may be more likely than their older peers to spot and call out harassment and workplace discrimination when it occurs, she said.
Half of younger workers surveyed reported witnessing or experiencing racism, compared with 33% of workers over the age of 55, according to the report. More than half—52%—of younger employees said they have seen or been subject to gender discrimination, compared with 30% of workers over 55.
Adding to the rise in complaints is that definitions of what is appropriate are changing. Younger workers might perceive problems where more experienced employees see business as usual, and may report problems that don’t meet the letter of the law, says Johnny C. Taylor Jr., chief executive of the Society for Human Resource Management. Read the full story.
