National Inclusion Week: Shocking levels of workers hiding aspects of self in workplace

This week marks National Inclusion Week, pioneered by Inclusive Employers, which aims to highlight the importance of a diverse workplace. As part of the initiative, a report was launched which found that nearly two thirds (61%) of UK workers feel they keep an aspect of their lives hidden at work. The report was based on a survey conducted by OnePoll, asking 2,000 workers in the UK.

The most commonly hidden issue by workers was family difficulties (46%), followed by mental health (31%). A further one in five also admitted to hiding their sexual orientation at work. “It is worrying to see that even today, six out of 10 workers in the UK are keeping a part of their personality hidden at work,” explained Richard McKenna, Director of Inclusive Employers.

“The fact that younger employees are more likely to hide things is in stark contrast to popular beliefs about Millennial Generation oversharing. In reality, they need to be supported around the complex conversations in the workplace and in how their manger will respond.”

31% of those asked said that they found having conversations about their family and personal life the most challenging. Female workers were the most likely to find this troublesome, at 34%, compared to 28% of men.