JHL’s survey: One third of the trade union’s members have experienced discrimination at workplace

A survey commissioned by the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL reveals that discrimination is common at workplaces. The survey was conducted by research company Aula Research and answered by more than 2,200 people working in JHL’s occupational sectors.

Many have faced discrimination. About one third (33%) of the respondents answered that they had experienced the kinds of discrimination that are the topics of the Finnish Non-discrimination Act or Equality Act.

“The results show that trade unions still have work to do in ensuring that our members can do their work safely and well. The results also raise the question if everything possible really has been done to root out discrimination in Finland,” stresses the President of Trade Union JHL Håkan Ekström.

Most often discrimination at workplaces is done by supervisors or managers. 67% of those who had experienced discrimination mentioned that their supervisor or manager had discriminated against them, and 59% told that a co-worker or colleague had discriminated against them. Respondents could choose more than one option when they answered this question.

According to the respondents, the most usual reason for discrimination was opinions. 41% of those who had experienced discrimination stated that it was because of their opinions. Other frequently mentioned grounds of discrimination were age, state of health and gender. 

The most usual context where discrimination occurred was everyday work. It was mentioned by as many as 79% of those who had experienced discrimination. In the second place was salary or wages, which was mentioned by 28% of those who has experienced discrimination. Respondents could choose more than one option when they answered this question.

“There is discrimination in all of JHL’s occupational sectors. Problems occur at workplaces and in everyday work,” describes JHL’s Special Advisor Anna Korpikoski.

34% of female respondents and 29% of male respondents have experienced discrimination.

Experienced discrimination is distributed almost evenly between all age groups. 32% of under 35-year-olds, 33% of 35–50-year-olds and 51–65-year-olds, and 31% of over 65-year-olds had experienced discrimination.

Majority of those who had experienced discrimination (76%) had told about it at their workplace. However, most of these (75%) did not get help with discrimination.

“When help was received, it was primarily from a co-worker, colleague, manager or supervisor. Thus, the local work community and its actions can both be a source of discrimination and potentially provide a solution to it,” comments Special Advisor Anna Korpikoski.

More information:
President of JHL Håkan Ekström, 040 828 2865
Special Advisor Anna Korpikoski, 050 304 3858

Questions about how the survey was carried out: Juha Vekkilä, Aula Research, 050 352 5335

 Aula Research conducted a survey about discrimination in working life among JHL members. The survey was commissioned by JHL. The survey data was collected between 3 and 21 October 2025 and consisted of answers from 2,223 JHL members. The survey is one part of a report that also includes an extensive literature review.

The report about discrimination and equality in working life is part of JHL’s multi-year work on future trends.  Earlier future trend reports deal with the climate change, demographic developments, digitalisation and regional development.