Impact of Workplace Discrimination on Job Satisfaction and Resilience: A Comparative Study Between Public and Private Sector in Delhi

Abstract

This comparative study examined the impact of workplace discrimination on job satisfaction and resilience among public and private sector employees in Delhi, India. Drawing on a sample of 168 professionals (80 public sector, 88 private sector), the research employed the Workplace Prejudice/Discrimination Inventory (WPDI; 16-item, 7-point Likert), Job Satisfaction Scale (10- item, 5-point Likert), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS; 6-item, 5-point Likert). Results revealed significant sectoral disparities: public sector employees reported higher workplace discrimination (M= 78.4, SD= 10.2) compared to private sector workers (M= 65.2, SD= 8.7; t(166) = 4.71, p< .001, Cohen’s d= 1.39), alongside lower job satisfaction (M= 24.1 vs. 29.8). A strong negative correlation emerged between discrimination and job satisfaction (r= -.64, p< .001), while resilience partially mediated this relationship (β= -.38, p< .01), with stronger effects in the private sector (ΔR² = .15 vs. .07 in public sector). These findings underscore systemic inequities in public sector bureaucracies and highlight resilience as a context-dependent buffer. The study advocates for sector-specific interventions, such as inclusivity audits in public sectors and transparency initiatives in private firms, to mitigate discrimination and enhance employee well- being.