Survey Finds Workplace Discrimination Among Reykjavík City Staff

2026-03-05 - 10:05

A new survey conducted for Reykjavík City indicates that racial and cultural prejudice remains a concern in some municipal workplaces. As reported by RÚV, a notable number of employees reporting either experiencing or witnessing discriminatory behaviour over the past year. What’s the Story? Survey by the University of Iceland on racial and cultural prejudice in municipal workplaces 23% of respondents reported experiencing prejudice in the past 12 months; 38% said they had witnessed such behaviour Findings highlight limited awareness of reporting procedures and recommend clearer policies and reporting processes The University of Iceland. Photo: Golli. Iceland Review. Survey findings released The assessment was carried out in cooperation with Sema Erla Serdaroglu, an adjunct professor at the School of Education at the University of Iceland. According to the findings, 23% of respondents said they had personally experienced racial or cultural prejudice in the workplace within the last 12 months, while 38% reported witnessing such behaviour. Among those who experienced discrimination, the most common form involved remarks presented as jokes, often linked to ethnic origin. Other reported factors included immigration status, religion, skin colour, and race. Verbal abuse and social exclusion were also identified, while smaller proportions of respondents reported humiliation, hatred, or threats. Most incidents were said to involve colleagues, with 61% of affected respondents reporting prejudice from co-workers. Others cited bystanders or managers as the source. The survey also highlighted gaps in awareness of reporting procedures. While a majority of respondents said they knew how to report discriminatory behaviour, many individuals who had experienced prejudice indicated they were unsure how to do so. Researchers recommend that the city review existing policies, clarify reporting processes, and develop a coordinated action plan.