New survey finds nearly two-thirds of Jewish employees have encountered antisemitism in the workplace
The Workplace Antisemitism Survey, was carried out by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and Work Avenue at the end of 2024, to ascertain the ongoing levels of hostility suffered by Jewish employees in the workplace a year on from the 7th October attacks. Of the 427 respondents to the survey, 64% reported that they had experienced antisemitism at least occasionally.
While 45% of respondents said they had received some level of support, this was often limited to personal expressions of empathy rather than tangible change in the organisation.
Healthcare was the most frequently reported sector for antisemitic activity at 21%, with healthcare workers often highlighting institutional apathy toward the problem. Education and publishing were the second-largest sectors cited in responses, with significant reports of hostility in academic settings.
Jewish workers overwhelmingly described trade unions as spaces where antisemitism was not only present but institutionalised, with several reporting that their unions disproportionately focused on anti-Israel activism, leaving Jewish members feeling targeted.
The report produced on the survey recommends that leadership teams commit to meaningful engagement with Jewish staff, and mainstream Jewish communal organisations where relevant, including consultation on policy changes and workplace responses to antisemitism.
The Board of Deputies and The Jewish Leadership Council are able to advise on good practices, as well as provide recommendations for Jewish EDI practitioners and other experts to deliver trainings. Work Avenue has a team of trained expert advisers who can provide confidential support and advice to those suffering from antisemitism in the workplace, as well as businesses looking to put safeguarding policies in place.
Board of Deputies Vice President Andrew Gilbert said:
“This report gives a real-time insight into the problems that Jewish employees have been experiencing in the workplace in a post-October 7th world. We would urge all employers to adopt the recommendations in the report as well as working with their Jewish staff to foster an inclusive workplace. The Board of Deputies have a dedicated member of staff leading on supporting Jewish Staff Networks via our BoD@Work programme and we are looking forward to our first conference supporting Jewish Staff Networks and to expand our Employer’s Guide.”
The Jewish Leadership Council’s Head of Strategic Programmes, Claire Mandel said:
“These results highlight the urgent need for employers to address the ways in which they handle incidents of antisemitism in the workplace. We encourage employers (and where appropriate, Jewish employees) to engage with the JLC’s Forge the Future Cultivating Allies scheme, which offers a number of different ways in which antisemitism within the workplace might be addressed and ways to make Jewish employees feel more confident and comfortable within their workplace environments.”
Work Avenue CEO Debbie Lebrett said:
“These results are shocking, but sadly not surprising. The workplace should be a safe space. To see not only a high incidence of antisemitism, but also a failure to address it, is deeply concerning. Work Avenue is committed to working with the Board of Deputies, the JLC and other communal organisations to combat this scourge.”
