What are the long-term consequences of workplace discrimination for psychological health and career trajectories?
Discrimination refers to any form of prejudice based on an individual's characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, etc. It has become increasingly common in the modern world, where it is often associated with negative effects that affect the victim's mental and physical wellbeing. This essay will explore how workplace discrimination can lead to adverse psychological health outcomes and impact an employee's future job prospects.
Effects on Mental Health
Discrimination in the workplace leads to a range of short-term and long-term adverse effects on an employee's mental health.
Victims may experience feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and social isolation due to their treatment. The constant exposure to prejudicial behaviors from colleagues or supervisors could result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, leading to flashbacks and nightmares.
Victims may suffer from trauma bonding, which involves developing emotional attachments with abusers while experiencing consistent mistreatment. These adverse effects significantly compromise employees' productivity, making them less engaged at work. Consequently, they perform below their potential, resulting in reduced earnings and promotions.
Career Trajectory
Workplace discrimination also negatively influences an employee's career trajectory. Victims may find themselves marginalized in terms of promotion opportunities, pay, benefits, recognition, and even termination policies. Discriminatory practices such as unequal wages, unfair hiring practices, and inappropriate disciplinary measures undermine individual achievements, thus contributing to poor career progression. Moreover, these individuals are likely to leave their current employers due to lack of advancement opportunities, forcing them into unemployment or underemployment. This further aggravates the negative impact on their careers by limiting future job prospects.
Workplace discrimination is a severe problem that should be addressed urgently. It has long-term consequences on psychological health and career trajectories, including increased depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, PTSD, social isolation, decreased performance, lost earnings and promotions, and early retirement. Therefore, organizations need to create a safe working environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported regardless of their backgrounds. Such actions will enhance employee wellbeing and maximize their contributions towards organizational goals.
What are the long-term consequences of workplace discrimination for psychological health and career trajectories?
There is abundant research evidence indicating that experiencing workplace discrimination can have significant negative impacts on an individual's mental health and professional prospects over the long term. In fact, studies show that employees who experience discrimination often suffer from increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, which can take a heavy toll on their overall wellbeing and productivity at work.