Objective of Block 0

The objective of this block is for each participant to:

• Choose a specific workplace inequality topic.
• Justify their choice based on Module 1 content.
• Preliminarily identify how this inequality appears in the workplace.
• Support the choice with at least 2 reliable sources.
• Publish their proposal in the corresponding forum.
• Participate in the formation of international teams based on thematic affinity.

This block will help you move from theory to practice and will be the foundation for the collaborative work of the entire Module 2.

What we understand by inequality in the workplace

In this module, we will work with inequality in a broad sense, always linked to the workplace and organisational context.

A workplace inequality may appear in:

• Access to employment.
• Recruitment processes.
• Hiring conditions.
• Onboarding within teams.
• Distribution of tasks.
• Promotion opportunities.
• Access to training.
• Salary conditions.
• Work-life balance.
• Accessibility.
• Work climate.
• Internal communication.
• Informal exclusion mechanisms.
• Open or subtle forms of violence and discrimination.

Inequality is not always explicit. It often appears through apparently neutral rules, informal dynamics, normalized jokes, silence, lack of adaptation, biased decision-making, or absence of preventive measures.

This is precisely why in Module 1 you explored the difference between formal equality and equity, the organisational production of inequality, and the limits of “neutral” approaches.

Proposal of possible topics

To facilitate the creation of a wide range of final projects and accommodate different interests, you may choose from a broad variety of topics.

The objective is that, among all participants, enough lines of work are generated to develop at least 20 intervention proposals at the end of the project, as stated in the application.

You may choose one of these topics or propose a related one, as long as it is clearly linked to the workplace and inclusive scope of the project.

Broad proposal of workplace inequalities

• Gender inequality in recruitment
• Gender inequality in promotion
• Gender pay gap
• Motherhood penalty in the workplace
• Lack of co-responsibility and inequality in work-life balance
• Age discrimination against young people
• Age discrimination against older workers
• Discrimination based on ethnic or racial origin
• Racism in customer service or recruitment
• Discrimination against migrant workers
• Barriers for people with physical disabilities
• Barriers for people with sensory disabilities
• Barriers for people with invisible disabilities or neurodivergence
• Lack of reasonable accommodation in the workplace
• Discrimination based on sexual orientation
• Discrimination based on gender identity or expression
• Non-inclusive or exclusionary language
• Workplace harassment or mobbing
• Psychological violence and normalized humiliation
• Gender-based task segregation
• Inequality in access to leadership
• Exclusion of caregivers
• Apparently neutral rules producing indirect discrimination
• Lack of psychological safety to report or speak
• Informal exclusion within teams
• Bias in performance evaluation
• Bias in job interviews
• Stereotypes about certain professions
• Intersectional inequality in employment
• Multiple discrimination combining gender, origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation

Important recommendation

Choose a topic that is:

• Specific.
• Understandable.
• Relevant to the workplace.
• Feasible to work on in a team.

Also, choose a topic for which you can find sufficient bibliography. A good proposal must not only be interesting but also researchable and arguable.