Survey reveals almost half of employees have witnessed workplace harassment in the last five years

Employee EngagementHR TechnologyInternal Communications

By GlobeNewswire Last updated Jan 15, 2025

New report from Traliant explores the realities of how employees are being exposed to harassment in today’s workplace and where employers need to address critical gaps

Traliant, a leader in online compliance training, today announced its inaugural 2025 State of Workplace Harassment Report. Compiled from a survey of over 2,000 full-time employees in the US, the study assesses the reality of workplace harassment and worker opinions on how their employers are prioritizing harassment prevention. Most notably, the survey revealed employees are being exposed to harassment at alarming rates in the last five years – nearly half (46%) of respondents reported they had witnessed workplace harassment happen to another employee and nearly one in four (24%) said that they had been the target of harassment themselves.

A complex web of factors influences workplace harassment including how employees perceive, respond to and report different experiences. As the workforce continues to evolve, employers need to ensure they are providing the resources employees need to create safer workplaces with zero-tolerance for workplace harassment.

The report uncovered additional areas where employers need to address critical gaps in workplace harassment prevention and reporting, including:

More than half (52%) of Gen Z employees reported they had witnessed workplace harassment happen to another employee in the last five years, compared to only 33% of Boomers
Only 51% of respondents said they would report an incident of harassment if they had to use their name
49% of employees would not report harassment at all if there were not anonymous reporting channels or due to fears of retaliation, worries of reputational harm, or lack of awareness on internal processes
32% of women reported that they were either not very, or not at all, satisfied with the outcome of how their employer handled reports of harassing incidents compared to 20% of men

“The survey findings present an alarming picture for employers who want to create positive work environments where employees can bring their best selves to work,” said Michael Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Traliant. “By prioritizing workplace harassment prevention and giving employees the resources and tools they need, employers can demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and better protect individuals from unlawful misconduct.”

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