UK employees are unhappy with the level of discrimination at work, according to research by disability insurer Unum.

The study found that while UK employees are 67% satisfied with their current jobs they are not so happy with the levels of discrimination in the workplace, only 37% are happy with attitudes towards those with mental disabilities, while 42% are happy with attitudes towards existing and potential staff with physical disabilities and the provisions made for them by their employers.

Other areas of concern highlighted by Unum’s research include attitudes towards religious beliefs, with employees admitting to being only 47% satisfied with the current situation at work, and bullying with staff revealing a mere 48% level of happiness in relation to the way their employers tackle the problem.

Racial equality is another issue for concern amongst employees who are just 60% happy with the general approach of staff and employers alike.

Concerns about gender equality appear to divide the sexes, but not in the way one would expect. Unum’s research shows that men are the least happy about the issue, admitting that they are only 57% satisfied with attitudes to and accommodation of gender equality, while women rated their level of satisfaction at 64%.

Joanne Hindle at Unum says: “It's against the law for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality or a disability.

“In addition it is extremely disappointing to see that discrimination towards those with mental or physical disabilities appears to be so acutely felt by employees. Both physical and mental disability must come out of the fringes and into mainstream discussion if attitudes to disability are to change.”

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