Union for tech workers
Despite being one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, the tech sector has one of the lowest rates of union membership. But we’re beginning to change this with the launch of our new Prospect Tech Sector.
Prospect brings people together across specialist and tech work. We have members in software, coding, data analysis, AI, engineering and many other parts of the tech sector, in both the private and public sector.
Around the world workers in technology and games companies are getting organised. Conversations around the gender pay gap, stress, and equality are starting to spread. More people are choosing to join a union.
If you are interested in the benefits of joining a union, in unionising your workspace, and in negotiating for better conditions, now is the time to take action and join Prospect today.
Prospect has over 100 years’ experience in bringing workers together, and we’re ready to provide support, resources and expertise. But the union has to start with you.
We are at the forefront of tackling the many challenges faced by tech workers. Learn more about our work campaigning for digital rights and making sure all workers face a fair working future.
Together we can make the tech industry better, fairer and safer for workers.
Gender Equality in Tech Survey
In 2024 we launched a gender equality in tech survey to gather data to inform discussions with employers and stakeholders in the sector to help us improve the experience of women working in the sector.
The survey showed:
- Over 60% of respondents from all genders agree that their employers’ pay system may be opaque and unfair.
- Around a third of women reported experiencing gender-based workplace bullying and 47% of women from ethnic minorities reported experiencing gender-based workplace bullying.
- Women reported working additional hours regularly at higher rates than men or non-binary people. While over a third of respondents are contacted outside of their normal working hours.
- 30% of non-binary participants and 21% of women are unhappy with their working patterns with regards to whether they work in the office or remotely.
- And only 39% of managers compared to 49% of contributors believe their employer will take effective action to deal with sexual harassment.
The results show an array of challenges to gender equality in the sector particularly in terms of pay transparency, gender-based bullying and sexual harassment. Read the full survey briefing.
On the basis of the survey results moving forward, we will encourage employers to promote pay transparency, flexible work arrangements, and effective responses to sexual harassment and bullying.
Together, we can build a tech sector that not only values diversity but actively promotes it, ensuring equal opportunities for every worker.
You can join the mailing list for the Prospect Gender Equality in Tech working group here.
Find out more about Prospect
Neurodiversity
In March 2023 Prospect launched a new Tech Workers’ Charter.
The charter is based on the work of the Scottish Tech Workers’ Network. The network is part of a project funded by Prospect and by the Scottish Trade Union Congress through the Union Modernisation Fund. Many tech companies in Scotland are start-ups and lack the number of employees needed for union recognition.
The Charter has been a central output of the network. It was developed over a year of meet ups, survey results, and conversations with workers outside of the network through various events. It includes nine rights the workers have established that would make tech work fairer and more ethical.
The network meets regularly and has a Slack through which workers discuss ways to organise to improve work in the tech sector and to increase awareness about unions in the workforce. Membership is open to all Prospect tech workers and non-members working in tech.
