Diversity in the work environment: Fight discrimination on June 24th in Leipzig!

Diversity in the work environment: Fight discrimination on June 24th in Leipzig!

Goerdelerring 5, 04109 Leipzig, Deutschland - On June 24, 2025, a panel discussion will take place in Leipzig, which deals intensively with the challenges of discrimination at the workplace. It is an event as part of the “Queer at work” project, organized in cooperation with the IHK in Leipzig. Experts from practice will educate and develop strategies how a solidarity and discrimination -critical world of work can be created. According to the LSVD, the event also reports on prejudices, barriers and exclusion, which are unfortunately still common in the professional world. A prerequisite for a fair work environment is greater cohesion and awareness of discrimination in working life.

Over 51% of European employees experienced discrimination at work last year, with 1 out of 6 employees say that they feel "often" or "constantly" discriminated against. This shows a survey by Michael Page and refers to the urgent need for action in the area of ​​employee rights. In particular, age, gender, ethnic origin and sexual orientation are the focus of the disadvantages. HR departments should be active in order to recognize and combat discrimination.

important aspects of discrimination

An aspect that often stays unmentioned in the discussion is indirect discrimination. This happens, for example, when apparently the same conditions treat certain groups unequally, such as the request of Saturday work, which Jewish employees can disadvantage. It is also found that women and older employees experience discrimination particularly often. 41% of the over 50 years of age reports of age discrimination, and among women it is 38% that are disadvantaged in their professional life-a clear appeal to work on the existing structures.

A positive trend can be seen, however: more than half of the companies now employ employees in international history, which is seen as an enrichment for corporate culture. Intercultural diversity promotes tolerance and cohesion. However, so that diversity can be successfully lived, employers have to actively promote an open culture and give clear statements against discrimination. Training on intercultural competence can help executives to strengthen the ability to argue with prejudices and thus break through the audience ranks.

recommendations for action and legal requirements

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects the employees from discrimination based on various characteristics. But what measures can companies take to proactively prevent discrimination? This includes promoting a corporate culture that appreciates diversity, as well as ongoing information on discrimination. In addition, existing guidelines should be regularly revised to avoid unintentional discrimination.

Successful companies are increasingly taking on social responsibility. You could get an advantage on the job market through sustainable diversity management. As the current developments show, the need for a discriminatory work environment is not only a social need, but also an economic bid. Only companies that take responsibility and understand diversity as a central corporate goal will continue to exist in the future.