Credit: Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock
In the past few years, the workplace has undergone a number of transformations, including expanded remote work opportunities and an increased number of Gen Z employees entering the workforce. According to a new study by Traliant, all of these factors have contributed to how employees experience workplace harassment.
The study found that in the last five years, nearly half of respondents (46%) reported that they had witnessed workplace harassment at either their current workplace or a prior employer. Nearly 1 in 4 of those surveyed said that in the last five years they had been a victim of harassment in their workplace.
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Among the employees surveyed, Gen Z workers reported the highest instance of witnessing harassment, with over half saying they had seen a coworker being harassed.
Of those employees who said they had witnessed workplace harassment, just over half said they decided to intervene, while nearly 1 in 5 said no one intervened.
Employees choose not to report workplace harassment for a variety of reasons, but the top three reasons employees feel a lack of protection from harassment include concerns about retaliation (67%), lack of harassment prevention procedures and training (57%), and a fear of bullying and threats (50%).
When it came to the potential for bullying and threats, women were much more concerned when compared to men. Additionally, the survey found that women reported experiencing higher rates of dissatisfaction for reporting outcomes when compared to men. 32% of women reported that they were either not very, or not at all, satisfied with the outcome of how their employer handled the report compared to 20% of men.
Power dynamics are often at play when it comes to workplace harassment The survey found that 33% of respondents reported that the person who engaged in harassing conduct was either a direct or indirect supervisor, signaling the influence of power dynamics within the workplace and the increased level of vulnerability for those in non-management or less senior roles.
“In today’s workplace, employers have a responsibility to create environments where everyone feels safe, respected and valued. That starts with taking meaningful steps to prevent workplace harassment and establishing resources that foster a respectful and productive workplace,” said Michael Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Traliant.
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