Why don't workers report harassment? Study explores the disconnect with HR
Forty-two percent of respondents said they would not report witnessing the sexual harassment of a colleague and 43% would not report witnessing discrimination.
A new study by Zety reveals an overwhelming disconnect between employees and HR teams, especially when it comes to reporting workplace harassment. Nearly 1,000 U.S. workers were surveyed and the findings revealed that 38% of workers said they would not disclose being a victim of sexual harassment to HR. Even more staggering – 44% of women respondents said they would not report being sexually harassed to HR.
Additionally concerning were the number of employees who said they would not report the discrimination or harassment of their coworkers to HR. The study found that 42% of respondents said they would not report witnessing the sexual harassment of a colleague and 43% would not report witnessing discrimination.
The study identified potential factors that might keep employees from speaking up, including fear of retaliation, disbelief in the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms or concerns about damaging one’s reputation.
“The findings in Zety’s HR Interactions Report highlight a concerning gap in employee trust and transparency with HR, particularly regarding sensitive issues like harassment and discrimination,” said Dominika Kowalska, CPRW and career expert for Zety. “It’s imperative for organizations to prioritize building trust through proactive HR strategies and supportive workplace environments. By understanding and addressing barriers to reporting, we can cultivate a workplace culture where every voice is heard and valued.”
While many employees do not feel comfortable reporting issues of harassment and discrimination, over 60% of workers said they would feel comfortable reporting instances of coworkers stealing company property, coworkers threatening others or engaging in physical violence and witnessing vandalism or fraud.
Read more: Study finds 1 in 4 U.S. employees has witnessed workplace violence
Although there is a disconnect, many employees value HR for a variety of essential functions. The majority of respondents said they value working with HR most for career support, mentoring and guidance. According to the study, 95% of respondents said they used HR’s services for performance evaluations, feedback or goal-setting more than once.
While most of the employees surveyed said that they would describe their interactions with HR as primarily positive, there is clear room for growth. The study recommends that HR teams work to address the gaps, especially concerning workplace harassment and discrimination.