Women Are Sharing The Bias They've Experienced In The Workplace

In the UK in 2022, a staggering 8.2 million employees in the UK say they've been discriminated against based on their gender while almost two thirds of women believe bias and discrimination are a barrier to them finding work.

This International Women's Day, people around the world are being invited to play their part in #BreakingTheBias and Tyla has asked our audience to share their experiences prejudice in the workplace.

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While the gender pay gap is a significant part of inequality at work - in 2021, the difference between average hourly earnings for men and women in the UK stood at 15.4 per cent - it's certainly not the only issue.

For example, a 2020 survey from charity, Rights of Women found 59 per cent of those who had called the charity's advice line said they had received ‘less favourable treatment’ after rejecting, submitting to, or reporting sexual harassment. Meanwhile, 10 per cent say they were threatened with dismissal or dismissed.

Others feel that their opinions are not taken as seriously as those of their male colleagues, while women of reproductive age are especially concerned about the bias surrounding starting a family.

Research conducted in 2018 by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found one in five mums said they had experienced harassment or negative comments related to pregnancy or flexible working. This could equate to as many as 100,000 mothers a year.

Here, a number of women - whose names have been changed - shared some of the shocking and harrowing times they've experienced bias and harassment while trying to do their jobs.

Bella works as a HGV driver and sometimes struggles in a male dominated industry.

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Molly told Tyla about the shocking and inappropriate questions she received at work on Christmas Eve.

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Clare says she experiences bias based on her gender and age.

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Hannah told us one person commented on her menstrual cycle after she disagreed with an opinion at work.

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Jen says she regrets not walking out of her previous job role.

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Emily says her male colleagues earn thousands more than her per year.

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Jess told us about the gender bias she experienced while working at a popular high street gym.

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Evie says she experienced sexual harassment while working at university.

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Zara faced discrimination in a previous job.

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Sam said her manager prioritised other staff members.

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Katie says her boss told her team she 'chose motherhood over work'.

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Lizzie faced inappropriate comments from her boss focussed on her uniform.

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Have you experienced bias in the workplace?

Topics: Life

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot.

@lucedevine