A new report from compliance training provider Traliant reveals a persistent gap between employers’ inclusion efforts and employees’ experiences, with nearly one in three workers saying they have felt excluded or marginalized in the past five years.
The survey, based on responses from 529 full-time U.S. employees, underscores the role of inclusive workplace practices in employee retention, engagement, and business performance. While 99 per cent of employees said they value a workplace where everyone feels included, many organizations fall short in achieving that goal.
“Inclusion efforts rooted in anti-discrimination practices are legal and necessary for organizations to make employees feel valued, engaged and empowered,” said Casey Heck, senior vice-president of HR at Traliant. “By identifying and addressing gaps in workplace culture, businesses can strengthen collaboration and unlock the full potential of their workforce.”
The findings highlight generational disparities in workplace inclusion, with millennials reporting the highest rates of exclusion (36 per cent) and Gen X employees the lowest (22 per cent). More than half (55 per cent) of employees who felt excluded or marginalized considered leaving their jobs.
The report also points to the impact of inclusivity training. Among employees at companies that provide training for all staff, only 29 per cent reported feeling excluded or marginalized, compared to 47 per cent in organizations where training is limited to managers. The most common training topics identified were conflict resolution (60 per cent) and active listening (56 per cent).
The survey was conducted in December 2024 by independent research firm Researchscape and included employees from organizations with more than 100 workers. Traliant, which provides compliance training for more than 14,000 organizations worldwide, said the findings reinforce the need for businesses to invest in training that fosters workplace trust and collaboration.
