Have you ever been left off a work team list, ignored at a meeting, or consistently mistaken for someone else of the same race or ethnicity?

How about having your ideas cut down before they are even considered, or the same idea given greater weight when it is presented by another?

Groundbreaking work on Unconscious Bias—what it is, examples of behaviors that reflect bias, and the effects on the workplace--have been done before.

Now a report from Catalyst shows the harmful effects of bias or discrimination in US workplaces.

The report builds on a previously released Catalyst report, Emotional Tax: How Black Women and Men Pay More at Work and How Leaders Can Take Action (October 2016), focusing only on Black women and men.

The term Emotional Tax was coined in the first report by Catalyst researchers Dnika Travis, Ph.D., Jennifer Thorpe-Moscon, Ph.D. and Courtney McCluney, Ph.D.

"Women of color continue to deal with some of the workplace's most entrenched hurdles, such as pay inequities and near invisibility in top leadership roles, as well as daunting roadblocks that stifle the meaningful dialogue that would help make real progress," says Dr.Travis, vice president for research, Catalyst.

"Over time, these daily battles take a heavy toll on women of color, creating a damaging link between their health and the workplace. And because of consequences associated with Emotional Tax, companies must begin to take intentional action to avoid possible harm to their businesses and employees' health and well-being."

In addition to examining women of color, the report's data reveal the Emotional Tax experiences of men of color in US workplaces.

Over one-quarter of Asian, Black, Latinx and multiracial men who are on guard anticipate bias because of their gender, and, in general, far more experience Emotional Tax.

Day-to-Day Experiences of Emotional Tax Among Women and Men of Color in the Workplace finds that a majority of minorities experience an "Emotional Tax" in US workplaces affecting their overall health, well-being and ability to thrive.

Emotional Tax—There is an undue burden levied on women of color because of exclusionary behaviors, affecting their overall health and well-being as well as making them feel constantly on guard.

The 58% of Asian, Black and Latinx employees who are on guard report they are also more likely to have sleep problems. This loss of sleep also jeopardizes employees' productivity and ability to fully contribute to work. In addition, being on guard factors into their career decision-making, with 38% reporting they are more likely to frequently consider leaving their jobs.

On Guard—When feeling on guard, women of color feel they have to outwork and outperform their colleagues. Asian women (51%), Black women (58%), Latinas (56%) and multiracial women (52%) all report being highly on guard.

Over 40% of Asian, Black, Latinx and multiracial employees feel on guard because they anticipate racial/ethnic bias. Multiracial women (58%), who identify as two or more of Asian, Black, and Latina, are the most likely to be on guard due to their race/ethnicity.

Highly Motivated Top Talent—Despite being on guard, nearly 90% of women of color want to be influential leaders, have challenging and intellectually stimulating work, obtain high-ranking positions and stay at the same company.

Asian, Black and Latinx employees who are always on guard also report higher creativity (81%) and are more likely to speak up (79%)—demonstrating the benefit to companies of attracting and retaining top talent from all backgrounds.

"Women and men of color have unique talents and valuable creativity that adds up to a highly motivated and talented group of employees. Your employees should not only be fully leveraged to help address the country's limited pool of talent, but they also bring a wealth of benefits and a competitive edge to companies," says Deborah Gillis, President and CEO, Catalyst. "In times of talent and skill scarcity, companies must focus inward on employee retention and create inclusive workplaces; otherwise, every business becomes vulnerable to a major talent drain."

Learn more or download the full report, Day-to-Day Experiences of Emotional Tax Among Women and Men of Color in the Workplace, at catalyst.org.