Despite efforts by organizations to put diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging policies in place, discrimination is still a major issue among tech professionals, according to a survey released today by tech jobs website Dice, a DHI Group Inc. (NYSE: DHX) brand. The report found that 24% of tech professionals experienced racial discrimination in 2022, up from 18% in 2021; in addition, gender discrimination increased to 26% in 2022 from 21% in 2021.
The report indicates that certain groups in tech perceive inequality much more than others. While 53% of Black tech professionals believe that racial inequality occurs very frequently or frequently, 30% of Hispanic and Latinx respondents reported that racial discrimination occurs frequently or very frequently. In addition, 29% of white, 28% of Asian and Pacific Islander respondents and 19% of Asian Indian and Indian subcontinent respondents reported that racial discrimination occurs frequently or very frequently in the tech industry.
Among tech professionals with disabilities, perceptions of racial inequality were also high at 43%; however, for those who did not indicate a disability, perception of racial discrimination was at 30%.
According to the report, when asked how often they thought gender discrimination occurs in tech, 51% of respondents who identified as women said frequently or very frequently, compared to only 30% of respondents who identified as men.
“The data we have gathered on perceptions and experiences of discrimination clearly shows how important equality and belonging in the workplace are to all tech professionals, especially those in underrepresented groups,” said Dice CEO Art Zeile. “Creating an environment that is inclusive and safe, and where every employee can be their true selves requires buy-in and effort from everyone at all levels of an organization.”
Dice surveyed nearly 2,500 US tech professionals for the report. Data supporting the report was gathered through an online survey of registered Dice job seekers and site visitors between Dec. 2 and Dec.19, 2022.