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Here at Nationwide Employment Lawyers we have encountered many professionals who work in white collar industries who feel they are being exploited at work. These employees have faced subtle yet deeply upsetting and negatively impactful forms of discrimination that have significantly impacted their careers, mental wellbeing, and financial stability.
When we mention the word ‘exploited’ you may think we are referring to low wage workers, which may be the case of course, but the word is equally applicable and relevant to highly skilled and highly paid professionals in industries like banking and healthcare, industries where discrimination is often masked by the ‘professional environments’ and their ‘equal opportunity’ policies.
In this blog, we address common types of discrimination faced by employees in white collar industries who feel they are being exploited, the legal protections that are available, and how these employees can find justice.
Exploitation of Employees in White Collar Industries
Exploitation in the workplace doesn’t have to involve abuse or unlawful practices. In white collar industries, we find that it often presents itself in more subtler forms, such as:
Unequal Pay
One of the most common forms of exploitation in white collar industries is unequal pay for equal work. Employees might find themselves in a position where they are earning less than their peers, working long hours, being expected to work and deliver more, all whilst being paid less than their peers. This can often be due to their gender, age, or ethnicity.
Limited Career Development
Many employees can find themselves stuck in the same job for many years, despite their qualifications, additional training, hard work, and commitment. Of course, this can be frustrating as they are therefore potentially overlooked for career development opportunities. This again can be because of unconscious bias or discrimination against protected characteristics.
Exclusion
Some employees may find themselves being excluded from key discussions and meetings or not be invited to be part of specific projects. This can limit their visibility within the organisation and impact negatively on their career growth. Over time, this exclusion can also affect confidence and morale, making it even harder for individuals to advance professionally.
Bullying and Harassment
Discrimination in the form of bullying or harassment can be more subtle in white collar workplaces and be in the form of backhanded compliments, or a culture where certain employees, perhaps due to being a certain age or from minority groups, are ignored, left out or left feeling belittled.
Unrealistic Expectations
Perhaps not such an obvious exploitation but just as important is when employees are asked to work excessive hours without proper compensation or recognition. An example of this is being asked to undertake tasks that are not within your job description or being asked to work late continuously. These are unfair and unrealistic expectations.
The Emotional and Professional Impact of Discrimination
When employees feel they are being exploited, whether through unfair treatment, unequal pay, lack of career progression, or harassment and bullying, it can have an emotional impact. The workplace should be a space for professional development, but it can quickly become a space filled with anxiety, stress, exhaustion and isolation. We discuss these in more detail below:
- Stress and Anxiety – If you find yourself constantly feeling undervalued, ignored or overlooked, this can lead to feeling stressed and anxious, which can affect both your mental and physical health.
- Exhaustion and Lack of Self Belief – A professional who is experiencing exploitation in the workplace may begin to feel mentally and physically drained. This exhaustion can be serious and make it very difficult for you to stay motivated and perform at your best.
- Burnout – The pressure of overwork, combined with feeling discriminated against, can result in burnout. This feeling can make you feel emotionally drained, which makes it harder to stay motivated and engaged in your roles.
- Isolation – Those who feel discriminated against or excluded from opportunities may also feel isolated. During those periods, the workplace environment can feel unwelcoming, which can further exacerbate feelings of isolation.
Legal Protection
Fortunately, for employees in the UK, there is the Equality Act 2010 which is the law that prohibits discrimination and exploitation in the workplace. It is a very important piece of legislation as it is designed to protect employees from unfair treatment. This law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of the following protected characteristics:
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Disability
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion or Belief
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Gender Reassignment
The Equality Act 2010 means that employees who are treated unfairly because of any of these characteristics above can make a claim of direct or indirect discrimination, harassment, or victimisation. Direct Discrimination is when an individual is treated unfairly or less favourably because of one of the protected characteristics above. Indirect Discrimination takes place when a policy, rule, or practice applies to everyone but disproportionately disadvantages certain groups with protected characteristics.
If you are an individual who is experiencing discrimination or exploitation at work, it is critical and essential for you to know and understand that you have options. Working with an experienced employment law solicitor like Nationwide Employment Lawyers, you can pursue justice for what you have experienced and for the emotional, professional, and potential financial damage caused.
Contact Nationwide Employment Lawyers Today
Taking the time to understand your rights and to know there is legal protection to help you is empowering, for your career, to ensure that you are treated fairly, and to give you the confidence to challenge any form of discrimination or exploitation at work. Discrimination claims in white collar industries can be often overlooked, but they can be extremely damaging. When discrimination results in exploitation; whether through unequal pay, limited opportunities, or harassment, employees are left feeling isolated, vulnerable and frustrated.
Fortunately, as we have explained, the law offers protections for those who experience discrimination, so if you believe you are being exploited at work, take the first step toward understanding your rights and seek legal advice. This is a powerful tool for reclaiming your professional integrity, ensuring that you are treated fairly and as you should be now and moving forward and for the creation of a working environment where you and your colleagues are valued and treated with respect.
If you are facing discrimination or exploitation at work, contact our employment law specialists today to discuss your situation and explore your options in more detail.
