Black workers face structural barriers in progression and “unsafe” working conditions, report finds
The Trades Union Congress’s report No Worker Left Behind found that racism, discrimination and harassment remain widespread
Black workers face structural barriers in progression and “unsafe” working conditions report finds
The report also found that when reporting incidents of racism to employers, Black people faced negative consequences.
STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO
APRIL 24, 2026
Black workers continue to face structural barriers in progression and “unsafe” working conditions, an alarming new report has found.
The Trades Union Congress’s report No Worker Left Behind which tracks the progress of Black workers - found that racism, discrimination and harassment remain widespread and, in several areas, have worsened since 2020.
Black workers continue to feel “unsupported” as racism is often dismissed as “jokes” and “banter”, and furthermore, there has been an worrying rise in the percentage of Black workers who have experienced physical violence, threats and intimidation at work going from 19% in 2020 to 26% in 2026.
To add to the incidents of racism, the report also found that when reporting incidents of racism to employers, Black people faced negative consequences including workplace isolation, transfers to different roles, or even disciplinary action against them for raising concerns.
Now, the TUC is now urging unions to challenge racism in order to retain the confidence of its members stating that racism towards Black employees “devalues and minimises” their daily contributions.
The TUC said: “Experiencing unfair treatment, racism and harassment inevitably has a clear negative impact.
“It leaves workers feeling less confident, stressed and embarrassed. It also drives workers into wanting to leave their jobs, and in some cases doing so.”
The report highlighted disturbing examples of the unfair treatment experienced by Black people at work.
In its survey, the TUC examined the difference in experiences between Black men and Black women.
The report found that Black women are more likely than Black men to report being kept on temporary contracts at 44% compared to 37%.
It also found Black women were more likely to have requests for training turned down, development opportunities denied at 38% compared to 34% and being given harder or less popular tasks at 46% compared to 43%.
Whereas Black men are more likely than Black women to report being singled out for redundancy at 31% compared to 22% and being passed over for or denied promotion at 40% compared to 35%.
Black workers also reported experiencing racist content in workplace social media groups and exclusion from work-related social events.
In 2024, the government announced plan for pay gap reporting to include ethnicity and disability.
Proposals would also see employers required to publish mandatory pay gap action plans to address pay disparities.
The TUC asked whether more government action against racial and ethnic discrimination in the workplace was needed and Black women in particular supported more action at 64%.
The TUC said: “While progress has been made in raising awareness and encouraging reporting, structural inequalities remain deeply embedded.
“Whether these are individual or institutional, racism towards Black employees devalues and minimise the day-to-day contributions made in the workplace by Black people.
“In turn, this has wider repercussions within communities, social and cultural cohesion through the creation of divisions and distrust that is easily exploited by those stoking hatred locally and nationally.
“Creating fair and safe workplaces requires coordinated action from government, employers and trade unions.
“Through stronger legal protections, transparent accountability and collective workplace action, meaningful progress toward racial equality at work can be achieved.”