Over the previous three years, perceptions of workplace inclusivity have fallen significantly.

Around half (49%) of UK PR professionals have reported experiences of workplace discrimination in the past year, with age, gender and race cited as the most common factors.

In a report published by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) on Monday, perceptions of workplace inclusivity were also found to be in decline. While 67% of professionals praised their organisation’s DEI efforts in 2021, only 50% expressed the same sentiment this year.

The industry is becoming more diverse, however, with 31% of practitioners identifying as non-White, compared to just 13% in 2021. In addition, 20% of professionals identify as neurodivergent, with ADHD (36%), autism (26%) and dyslexia (22%) being the most common conditions. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of neurodivergent professionals describe feeling unsupported at work, however. 

Further findings show that the ethnicity pay gap has widened to 25.6%, up from 16% in 2021. Meanwhile, the gender pay gap has marginally improved over the same period, standing at 11.8%. PRCA chair Ray Eglington urges organisations to take decisive action. “This includes tackling the ethnicity pay gap, advancing support for neurodivergent professionals and creating fairer pathways to leadership for underrepresented groups.”