75% of Workers Say Bullying Is a Problem in Irish Workplaces
Matrix Recruitment’s 2025 Workplace Equality Survey Reveals Rise in Far-Right Sentiment, High Levels of Discrimination, and Ongoing Gender & Pay Inequality
Ireland, 2025: Three in four workers (75%) believe bullying remains a serious issue in Irish workplaces, according to the new Matrix Recruitment 2025 Workplace Equality Survey, released today.
The results highlight persistent concerns around harassment, discrimination, gender inequality, pay transparency, ageism, parental bias, and a significant rise in far-right sentiment in some organisations.
The survey, completed by workers across Ireland—predominantly mid-level professionals—shows that issues of inequality and exclusion continue to deeply affect career progression, confidence, and job satisfaction.
Key Findings at a Glance
75% say bullying is a problem in Irish workplaces
72% have witnessed and/or personally experienced harassment
26% have noticed a rise in far-right sentiment at work
37% have personally experienced discrimination
75% of discrimination relates to gender
33% know a colleague of the opposite sex is paid more for the same role
46% believe taking parental leave hinders career progression
Over 50% say ageism remains an issue
Bullying & Harassment: A Persistent Problem
Despite a modest 13% improvement on 2024 data, bullying and harassment remain widespread.
72% have witnessed or experienced harassment, including:
Unfair criticism in front of colleagues (50%)
Passive-aggressive remarks (66%)
Verbal abuse (55%)
Humiliation in meetings (47%)
Online/virtual intimidation (37%)
Physical intimidation (50%)
Sexual harassment
50% of those bullied also reported sexual harassment
37% said this behaviour came from a colleague or manager
Impact on careers
30% have left a job due to bullying
26% have considered leaving
Only 35% made a formal complaint
Of those, 46% said their employer was not supportive
Commentary:
“When bullying comes from managers or supervisors, people feel powerless, isolated and often pushed out of roles they otherwise enjoyed. Every employee deserves to feel safe, respected and heard at work.”
Rise of Far-Right Sentiment in Irish Workplaces
One of the most concerning findings is the 26% of workers who say they have noticed an increase in far-right sentiment or behaviour in their workplace in the past year.
Among those workers:
59% saw an increase in discriminatory jokes or remarks
46% witnessed colleagues promoting extremist or nationalist views
41% encountered opposition to D&I initiatives
41% saw the spread of misinformation or conspiracy theories
21% witnessed hate speech or online harassment
13% saw far-right symbols or propaganda being shared or displayed
Commentary:
“There is no place for extremist rhetoric or discriminatory behaviour in any workplace. Employers need clear policies, consistent leadership and ongoing education to maintain safe and inclusive environments.”
Discrimination in the Workplace: Gender, Pay, Parental Status Lead
Incidence of discrimination
37% personally experienced discrimination
14% witnessed it happening to others
21% both witnessed and experienced it
Only 28% have never experienced or witnessed discrimination
Most common forms of discrimination
Gender discrimination (75%)
Pay discrimination (62%)
Discrimination based on parental status (58%)
Age discrimination (45%)
Discrimination based on sexual orientation (41%)
There were also notable reports of ethnic, disability, pregnancy-related and religious discrimination.
Parental bias
46% believe taking parental leave can hinder career progression (down 10% from 2024)
Over a third say non-parents or non-carers are treated unfairly
Commentary:
“Inequality is not abstract. It is directly shaping people’s opportunities and long-term prospects—particularly for women, ethnic minorities and older workers.”
Leadership Imbalance: Gender, Age & Nationality
The survey highlights a continued gender imbalance in senior leadership.
Perceptions of promotion and leadership
46% say men have an advantage when it comes to promotion
Only 14% believe women have an advantage
Nearly half say their senior leadership team is predominantly male
Many describe leadership as primarily over 50 and mostly Irish
This imbalance shapes employee perceptions of opportunity, progression and workplace culture.
Pay Inequality & Transparency
Pay inequality remains a major concern:
33% know of an opposite-sex colleague being paid more for the same role
Pay transparency is “very important” to 67% of workers
If employees discovered unequal pay, they would:
Speak to their manager (50%)
Request a pay rise (24%)
Start looking for a new job (17%)
Resign immediately (1%)
Do nothing (9%)
Ageism: Declining but Still Widespread
More than half of workers say ageism is still an issue, although this is an improvement on 2024.
Strengths attributed to older employees:
Depth of experience
Industry knowledge
Reliability and loyalty
Ability to mentor younger colleagues
Challenges older employees may face:
Adapting to new technologies
Adjusting to changing communication styles
Transitioning to hybrid or agile working environments
Commentary:
“In reality, a 50-year-old may have 15–20 productive working years ahead. We need to rethink what ‘old’ means in the modern workforce.”
Unequal Treatment & Lack of Employer Support
The 2025 survey reinforces that discrimination and unequal treatment are not isolated incidents.
93% say employers have a responsibility to support workers experiencing discrimination
Yet only 18% said their workplace provided adequate support when they made a formal complaint
This gap signals an urgent need for stronger policies, leadership training and transparent reporting structures.
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FAQ Section
What is the biggest workplace issue in Ireland in 2025?
Bullying remains the biggest concern, with 75% of workers saying it is a problem.
Has far-right sentiment increased in Irish workplaces?
Yes. 26% of workers report a noticeable rise in far-right sentiment or behaviour.
What type of discrimination is most common?
Gender discrimination is the most reported, followed by pay inequality and discrimination based on parental status.
Are employees satisfied with employer support?
Only 18% say they received adequate support after making a formal complaint.
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