Report Reveals Extent of Discrimination in Ireland

| David O’Riordan

The Human Rights and Equality Commission has recently published the findings of a new report into discrimination in Ireland.

The report, which was produced together with the Economic and Social Research Institute, found that almost one in eight people in Ireland report that they have experienced discrimination over the preceding two years.
Discrimination Work
With regards to discrimination at work, the research found that:
  • People with disabilities are more than twice as likely as those without a disability to experience discrimination.
  • Compared to White Irish respondents, Black respondents are three times more likely to experience discrimination in the workplace. White non-Irish do not differ from White Irish respondents in reported discrimination in any domain.
  • Irish Travellers are almost ten times more likely than the White Irish group to experience discrimination in seeking work.
  • Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience discrimination at work, with issues of pay and promotion frequently raised.
  • The 45-64-year-old group is more likely to experience discrimination seeking work than younger workers.
The research also found that that while overall reported discrimination has remained stable, there have been significant diverging trends, including a significant increase in the number of people experiencing discrimination while seeking work, rising from 5.8% in 2004 and 5.9% in 2010 to 7.4% in 2014.

Advice for Employers

Despite the best efforts of employers, issues of discrimination can still arise in the workplace, and employers must ensure they are sufficiently prepared to handle these. Policies and procedures must be kept up to date and audited regularly to ensure they remain legally compliant. If accusations of discrimination do occur, then it is advisable to seek legal advice as quickly as possible.

Contact Our Employment Law Solicitors Dublin, Ireland

If you require legal advice on any employment law matter, including equality and discrimination, then get in touch on +353 1 513 7308 to speak with one of our experienced solicitors.
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