Workplace equity efforts fall short on employee experience: Study

While more than 80% of employees view their organisation's DEI approach favourably, many continue to feel exclusion from informal workplace networks.

A disconnect between organisations’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments and employees’ day-to-day experiences appears to be widening, according to the latest Global Equity Study 2026 from Treasury Today Group.

Supported by Standard Chartered, the annual study surveyed its most demographically diverse respondent base to date and explored themes including the intersection of age and gender, men’s participation in equity discussions, mental wellbeing, and workplace support for differently abled and neurodivergent professionals.

Despite strong organisational support for DEI, the findings suggested implementation gaps remain.

While 81% of respondents viewed their organisation’s DEI approach favourably and 78% agreed that greater diversity drives better business performance, many reported workplace experiences that appear inconsistent with those perceptions.

Mental health remains difficult to discuss

The study identified mental wellbeing and male allyship as two of the key challenges in advancing workplace equity.

Some 12% of respondents experienced a challenging year for their mental health. However, 35% said they feel uncomfortable raising the topic at work or would prefer not to discuss it, while one in five reported never having discussed wellbeing within their team or organisation.

Male allyship emerges as a key factor

The research also highlighted significant differences in how men and women perceive workplace equity.

Only 24% of women believe they are paid equally to male colleagues performing similar roles, compared with 73% of men who share that view. The perception gap may present a challenge for workplace equity efforts, as allyship can be difficult to build around an issue that many men do not believe exists.

The study also examined men’s access to wellbeing support relative to female and non-binary colleagues, highlighting the importance of fostering communities built on openness, empathy, and shared experiences for all groups.

Inclusion gaps persist

Beyond perceptions of pay equity, employees reported being excluded from informal workplace interactions where relationships, visibility, and career opportunities are often developed.

Over half (58%) said they had felt excluded from networking or social events based on gender, while 31% cited age and 29% cited ethnicity.

The lead image is generated by AI