Nearly Half of NRIs Report Workplace Race Bias, Blind Finds

Blind survey finds 44% of NRIs report workplace racism, spotlighting how racial bias shapes the careers and choices of Indian professionals working abroad as 2025 draws to a close.

What Happened

The anonymous professional network Blind said on December 3, 2025 that a poll of verified Non-Resident Indian (NRI) professionals found 44% had been unfairly treated or evaluated because of their race at work. The one-day survey, conducted November 28, 2025, filtered 1,087 NRI respondents from 1,418 total participants based on self-identified Indian origin and geolocation outside India, according to the company.

How The Survey Worked

Blind’s poll asked Indians working abroad whether racism against Indians is real or exaggerated and how, if at all, it affected their careers. Among those who reported bias, 44% said it hurt evaluations or promotion prospects, while others cited social exclusion or unfair interviews. Notably, most respondents did not escalate concerns: 72% said they took no action; smaller shares reported issues to HR or pursued formal complaints.

Why It Matters

While the Blind poll reflects self-reported experiences from a specific community, the findings align with broader concerns about workplace inequity. U.S. regulators have flagged persistent diversity shortfalls in the high‑tech workforce and higher-than-average discrimination complaints from that sector in recent years, underscoring systemic risks that can affect hiring, pay and advancement. Separately, policymakers and courts are scrutinizing how automated hiring tools may replicate or amplify bias, prompting states to tighten rules and employers to add safeguards.

The Bigger Picture

Race-based bias remains a significant share of discrimination charges filed with U.S. authorities, even as overall filings have climbed. For global employers competing for technical talent, the Blind results are a reminder that perceived fairness and credible reporting channels matter. Clear policies, responsive investigations, and regular audits of performance and promotion decisions—especially where algorithms are used—can help reduce risk and rebuild trust.

What’s Next

Blind’s snapshot is not a nationally representative study, but it captures sentiment inside a large cohort of Indian professionals. Companies with sizable NRI workforces may review grievance intake, train managers on bias, and test HR systems for disparate impact. For workers, documenting incidents and using internal or external reporting options can create a record and trigger remediation. Consistent follow‑through on complaints remains the crucial test for employers seeking to turn policy into practice.

Sources

• Nearly half of Non-Resident Indians experienced workplace discrimination based on race — TeamBlind (December 3, 2025)
• EEOC says high tech workforce continues to lack diversity — Reuters (September 11, 2024)
• AI may discriminate against you at work. Some states are making it illegal. — Washington Post (December 1, 2025)