Zarah ChoudharyResearch from charity organisation Young Women’s Trust has found that nearly a third (30%) of managers with responsibility for HR and recruitment decisions are aware of instances of young women being discriminated against in the past year.
A survey of young women found rising levels of discrimination, reaching a three year high in 2024; 53% have experienced discrimination at work, up from 42% in 2022.
For young women from racial minorities, the percentage rose from 44% in 2022 to 61% in 2024.
Evidence of pay discrimination continued, despite it being illegal; 10% of HR decision makers admitted that they were aware of women being paid less than men for jobs at the same level.
Almost a fifth (19%) did not think that their organisation took gender pay gap reporting seriously enough.
When asked about the barriers that prevent organisations from creating a fairer and more equitable working environment for young women, they cited a lack of resources, lack of support from senior management and not understanding best practice.
Almost a quarter (23%) of young women said that they have been paid less than male colleagues who do the same or similar work.
This has been consistent for the past three years – 24% in 2022 and 23% in 2023.
More than a fifth (22%) of young women also said that they have been paid less than the minimum wage.
The research found that discrimination was multi-layered, with young women reporting prejudice based on age (28%), sex (16%), appearance (18%), for having caring responsibilities (25%) and because of a long-term mental health condition (35%).
For black young women, racial discrimination rose to 39% up from 31% in 2022, and for Asian young women rates increased from 24% in 2022 to 31% in 2024.
More than a quarter of young women (26%) said they had experienced sexual harassment.
A third (33%) of HR decision makers also agreed that sexist behaviour still exists in the workplace.
Furthermore, 28% of young women said that women were not given the same opportunities as men to progress in their organisation.
This was mirrored by feedback from HR decision makers with an almost identical proportion (27%).
Almost a fifth of young women (18%) said they did not know their rights in relation to workplace discrimination.
They also said that they did not feel comfortable reporting it (24%), and 38% would not feel confident to challenge pay inequality.
Claire Reindorp, chief executive at Young Women’s Trust, said: “Discrimination should have no place in our workplaces but the reality is that as a young woman in 2024 you are more likely than not to be experiencing it.
“We cannot accept that this is just a normal part of working life. Its harmful effects will scar young women well into their futures, from shattered confidence and poor mental health to a lifetime of lower pay.
“Most urgently, we must address the deeply alarming rise in racial discrimination that Black and Asian young women are facing at work.
“Only then will we have a workforce with equal chances to contribute and succeed, for the benefit of everyone.”
