Unresolved workplace wrongdoings are leaving a third of young women with no option but to quit the workforce entirely, according to new research by Young Women’s Trust.
The research reinforces the need for the measures outlined in the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which seeks to improve job security and strengthen enforcement of worker’s rights.
According to the survey commissioned by the charity, instances of bullying, sexual harassment and unlawful pay are being ignored or dismissed with over a quarter (28%) of young women who have experienced unfair or illegal treatment saying that no action was taken when they complained. Just over a third (34%) of those who didn’t report their issue at all said that they didn’t trust that anything would be done.
The research also uncovered a fear of speaking up, with 27% saying that they didn’t report because they were worried they might lose their job or be treated negatively. Furthermore, the survey showed that these fears are justified with a quarter (25%) of young women who reported an issue but didn’t reach a resolution stating that they were disciplined, demoted or dismissed as a result; and almost a quarter (24%) were denied opportunities to progress.
A power imbalance is clear with younger women (18-24), those on the lowest pay, and disabled and neurodivergent young women least likely to report unfair treatment. The data shows only 43% of young women earning under £10 an hour reported the unfair treatment they’d experienced, which increased to 77% for those earning over £25 per hour.
These statistics highlight the harsh reality for young women who are prevented from speaking out when their rights are violated. They also uncover the need for education around basic rights at work as almost a quarter (23%) of young women said that they had ‘no’ or ‘very little’ knowledge of their workplace rights, and a fifth (20%) didn’t report because they didn’t know who to speak to or how to report it’.
Reporting also varies depending on the industries that young women work in, showing a need for targeted enforcement and awareness raising. The research found that young women working in hospitality, retail, education and health and social care are even less likely to know their rights, report violations and come to a resolution:
- Over a quarter of young women working in retail (29%) and hospitality (26%) said they didn’t know who to speak to or how to report their unfair treatment, compared to 20% overall.
- Young women working in hospitality (39%), health and social care (32%) and education (35%) were most likely to say that no action was taken as a result of their complaint, compared to 28% overall.
- Young women working in hospitality (39%), health and social care (33%) and education (29%) felt ignored and dismissed when reporting an issue.
As the Employment Rights Bill is implemented, the opportunity for change is now. Young Women’s Trust is calling for:
- More education for young women about their basic rights – like pay, sick leave, and equal treatment – and support when they’re treated unfairly.
- Stronger action against employers who don’t play by the rules, targeting those industries where unfair treatment is most common – hospitality, retail, education and social care.
- Protection for young women who speak up when they face harassment, discrimination, or unfair treatment.
Mia, a Young Women’s Trust campaigner from London, faced serious disability discrimination at work which completely changed her trajectory at work, putting her years behind where she thought she’d be. She said: “Whilst undergoing a dental nurse apprenticeship my physical health started to deteriorate – I have a disability which affects my mobility. I was open with my manager from the off. I found out that I needed major reconstructive surgeries on my leg so I booked annual leave for one consultation as I knew it would be lengthy. When the weekly rotas came out I was shocked to see that I’d been put down to work on the day of my appointment. I quickly raised it with management and they were awful to me and just said that they couldn’t find anyone else at such short notice and they didn’t want to pay agency staff.
“I knew my rights so I sent an email to HR with my request and expressed that I was entitled to the time off for my disability. After this my appointments got more frequent and the treatment I received at work got worse. I was bullied by staff and felt completely isolated. They knew how severe my disability was and they purposely made me work on the bottom floor of the three story townhouse practice so I spent my entire day going up and downstairs in agony. The treatment was so bad that I was left feeling suicidal. In the end I knew I had to leave altogether. My trade union agreed that I had a case for disability discrimination but at that point I had nothing left to give and I didn’t have it in me to face a long and hard tribunal. I just wanted out. I literally had one exam left, that was it, and then I’d have been fully qualified, but I gave it all up. It was either that or lose my life completely. The treatment I received completely threw my life off track and no one was held accountable.”
Claire Reindorp, Chief Executive at Young Women’s Trust, said: “This new research clearly shows that young women are caught between a rock and a hard place: report illegal and unfair treatment at work and risk being belittled, threatened, demoted or even dismissed. Don’t report it, and risk worsening mental health or even being forced to leave. Ultimately, this is resulting in young women leaving the workforce: this is not just extremely damaging for young women and their futures, it hits our economy too.
“Mia’s story is appalling but sadly, she’s no exception. Young women are losing out because rogue employers are getting away with unacceptable working practices. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the introduction of the government’s Employment Rights Bill and their plans for stronger enforcement. What’s critical now is that young women are included in the design of the new measures so that they actually work in practice for the people that need them the most.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“Too many young women can’t properly exercise their rights at work. And too many are stuck in insecure, low-paid jobs where power imbalances between workers and bosses make it hard to speak up.
“That’s why the Employment Rights Bill is so important. It will deliver greater security at work by banning exploitative zero hours contracts and delivering day one rights in the job like sick pay and protection from unfair sackings.
“With a secure contract – where an employer can’t fire you for no good reason or take away your hours at the drop of a hat – young women will feel better able to raise any issues they’re facing.
“And the Bill will bring forward the Fair Work Agency, which represents a vital opportunity to turn the page on inadequate enforcement.
“For too long, bad bosses have got away with flagrantly breaking the law. This is a chance to create a properly resourced body with real teeth to come down hard on those who refuse to do right by their staff.”
Notes to editors
For more information or interviews please contact:
Hayley Richardson-Roberts, Communication Lead:
07495 981142 / [email protected]
Survey methodology
The quantitative data collection was conducted by the external survey provider, Censuswide. Fieldwork was carried out from July to September 2025 and included a survey of 1000 young women aged 18-30 across England and Wales who have experienced unfair treatment at work – half of whom had reported it and half who had not.
The report also includes qualitative data which was facilitated by 23 young women aged 18-30, all with lived experience of unfair treatment at work, who are trained as peer researchers. This included:
- 2 focus groups with young women aged 18-30 who have experienced reporting unfair treatment at work – one online and one in-person
- 10 interviews with young women aged 18-30 who have experienced reporting unfair treatment at work – 4 online and 6 in-person
- 8 online interviews with stakeholders from organisations who support young women
- A series of polls on professional networking site LinkedIn.
About Young Women’s Trust
Young Women’s Trust champions young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay. We’re here to create a more equal world of work and raise young women’s incomes.
We offer young women free coaching, feedback on job applications and information to help them get where they want to be. We bring together a thousands-strong network to support each other, build their self-belief, and have their voices heard. We work with young women and anyone who experiences misogyny and sexism to campaign for equality in the workplace. And our research provides insight into what young women’s lives are really like, fuelling our campaigns for change.