Employees over 40 face the highest rates of discrimination, followed closely by pregnancy-related bias.
According to a recent Ministry of Manpower (MOM) survey, workplace discrimination in Singapore declined in 2021 compared to 2018, but age-related discrimination remains the most prevalent issue. The survey, conducted every three years, found that 8% of employees experienced some form of workplace discrimination, a significant drop from 24% in 2018. Age bias, particularly against employees over 40, accounted for 4.6% of cases, making it the most common form of workplace discrimination.
In addition to age, pregnancy-related discrimination affected 3.7% of respondents, while mental health issues impacted 3.2%. These biases were most frequently associated with career development, pay raises, and promotions, underscoring how discrimination can hinder professional progress.
For jobseekers, age was also the most frequent reason for discrimination, with 18.9% reporting age-related bias in job applications. Mothers and racial minorities followed, with 6.9% and 6.3% of jobseekers, respectively, reporting discrimination.
The survey also highlighted that 54% of employees said their employers had formal procedures to address workplace discrimination, an increase of nearly 5% from 2018.
Despite these findings, the report noted that only 20% of employees who experienced discrimination sought help, with most approaching their company or union. A striking 80% chose not to report the incidents, primarily due to fears of being marginalized or damaging workplace relationships. Some also felt the issues were not serious enough to raise.
When compared internationally, Singapore’s level of workplace discrimination is on par with the EU average but lower than countries like France, Sweden, and Finland, while higher than Germany, Denmark, the UK, and Italy.
These findings reflect ongoing challenges in addressing workplace discrimination, particularly for older workers and vulnerable groups, and signal the need for continued efforts to promote fair employment practices in Singapore.
