Disrupted meaningfulness: The side effects of discrimination on well-being

Literature acknowledges the adverse effects of discrimination on well-being. However, evidence about how these effects manifest is limited. The article fills this research gap, shedding light on discrimination's direct and indirect implications on well-being through work meaningfulness and engagement. Secondary data were collected from 2,885 professionals participating in the seventh wave of the European Work Conditions Survey (EWCS). A mediation analysis was implemented to obtain evidence of discrimination's implications on well-being. Discrimination was found to directly undermine well-being, disrupting the work experience of people experiencing it. Furthermore, discrimination indirectly affected well-being, since it damaged work meaningfulness and disengaged employees. Tailored interventions are required to prevent discrimination and nurture work meaningfulness and engagement. Initiatives to empower employees are needed to cope with discrimination and advance work meaningfulness. Employee empowerment energizes people to preserve engagement, sustaining their vigor, absorption, and dedication in accomplishing organizational activities.