27 Workplace Harassment Statistics for 2025

General Workplace Harassment Statistics

Workplace harassment is a widespread issue, with significant consequences for individuals and organizations.

1. 42% of employees have experienced workplace harassment. This includes verbal abuse, sexual harassment, discrimination, and bullying. (Gallup)
2. 68% of harassment cases go unreported. Fear of retaliation or lack of trust in reporting systems prevents victims from coming forward. (EEOC)
3. 50% of women and 16% of men have faced sexual harassment at work. Women are disproportionately affected, but men also experience harassment. (Pew Research Center)
4. Workplace harassment costs U.S. businesses $14 billion annually. This includes legal costs, turnover, and lost productivity. (Society for Human Resource Management)
5. 60% of employees who experience harassment leave their job within two years. The emotional toll and lack of support push victims to seek better environments. (Forbes)

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment remains a pervasive and underreported issue.

1. 1 in 3 women reports experiencing sexual harassment at work. This is particularly prevalent in male-dominated industries. (EEOC)
2. 12% of men have experienced sexual harassment at work. While less common than for women, it highlights the issue's reach across all genders. (Pew Research Center)
3. 81% of women who experience harassment never report it. Fear of backlash or disbelief prevents many victims from taking action. (National Women’s Law Center)
4. Sexual harassment cases result in $70 million in annual settlements. Businesses face significant financial consequences when such cases arise. (EEOC)
5. Remote workers report a 30% increase in digital sexual harassment. Online harassment, such as inappropriate messages and video calls, is rising with hybrid work. (Harvard Business Review)

Gender-Based Harassment

Gender bias and harassment disproportionately affect women, especially in leadership and non-traditional roles.

1. 46% of women in leadership roles report experiencing gender-based harassment. Leadership positions expose women to higher scrutiny and discrimination. (Lean In)
2. Women of color are 3x more likely to face workplace harassment. Intersectional discrimination worsens the experience for minority women. (National Women’s Law Center)
3. 63% of LGBTQ+ employees report harassment related to their gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ workers face unique challenges in maintaining workplace safety. (Human Rights Campaign)
4. Nearly 30% of men believe gender-based harassment is exaggerated. A lack of awareness contributes to underreporting and inadequate responses. (Pew Research Center)
5. Women in male-dominated industries, like tech and construction, report 50% higher harassment rates. Cultural and systemic biases perpetuate this issue. (Statista)

Racial and Ethnic Harassment in the Workplace

Racial and ethnic harassment affects a significant portion of the workforce, creating hostile environments for minority employees.

1. 38% of Black employees report racial harassment at work. Discrimination based on race remains a systemic problem. (EEOC)
2. 29% of Hispanic/Latino workers report racial or ethnic harassment. Microaggressions and overt racism are common challenges. (Pew Research Center)
3. Asian employees report a 35% increase in workplace harassment since 2020. Rising xenophobia has worsened workplace conditions for Asian workers. (Stop AAPI Hate)
4. Only 18% of employees report racial harassment incidents. Fear of being labeled as "difficult" prevents many from coming forward. (Statista)
5. Workplaces with diversity training see a 23% reduction in racial harassment cases. Awareness and education improve inclusivity and reduce conflicts. (Harvard Business Review)

Bullying in the Workplace

Workplace bullying is a subtle but damaging form of harassment.

1. 30% of employees experience workplace bullying annually. This includes verbal abuse, exclusion, and undermining work performance. (Workplace Bullying Institute)
2. 72% of workplace bullying incidents involve a manager or supervisor. Power dynamics often contribute to bullying behaviors. (Forbes)
3. Victims of workplace bullying are 2x more likely to experience depression. The mental health toll significantly impacts victims' personal and professional lives. (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology)
4. Bullying contributes to 21% of employee turnover. Victims often leave their jobs to escape toxic environments. (Gallup)
5. Remote workers experience bullying through exclusion from meetings or projects. Digital bullying is an emerging issue in hybrid and remote work setups. (Harvard Business Review)

Harassment in Male-Dominated Industries

Industries with higher male representation often see higher rates of harassment.

1. 50% of women in tech report workplace harassment. Gender imbalance and lack of inclusivity are key contributors. (TechCrunch)
2. 41% of women in manufacturing face gender-based harassment. Stereotypes and male dominance in the field worsen harassment rates. (National Women’s Law Center)
3. Women in STEM fields experience a 45% higher harassment rate than the average workforce. This includes sexual harassment and gender bias. (Pew Research Center)
4. Construction workers report 1.5x higher bullying and harassment rates. The industry’s physical and male-dominated culture exacerbates the issue. (Statista)
5. Female employees in finance report 28% higher harassment rates compared to men. Gender bias in traditionally male-dominated roles remains pervasive. (Forbes)

Workplace Harassment in Remote and Hybrid Work

Remote work has created new avenues for workplace harassment.

1. 35% of remote workers report experiencing harassment online. Inappropriate comments during virtual meetings and emails are common. (Harvard Business Review)
2. 25% of employees say virtual meetings make them more vulnerable to harassment. The lack of in-person oversight allows inappropriate behavior to go unchecked. (Gallup)
3. Digital harassment cases have risen by 32% since remote work became widespread. Unmonitored communication platforms, like Slack and Zoom, contribute to the increase. (Pew Research Center)
4. Remote workers are 50% less likely to report harassment. The physical distance and lack of formal channels discourage victims from speaking up. (EEOC)
5. Organizations with remote work harassment policies see a 20% decrease in incidents. Clear guidelines help enforce accountability in virtual environments. (Society for Human Resource Management)

Economic Impact of Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment has significant financial consequences for both employees and employers.

1. Harassment cases cost businesses $14 billion annually in settlements, turnover, and lost productivity. The financial burden highlights the importance of proactive measures. (SHRM)
2. Employee turnover due to harassment costs companies an average of $450,000 annually. Replacing employees and retraining new hires are costly processes. (Forbes)
3. Victims of harassment lose an average of $5,200 annually in wages due to career disruptions. Many are forced to leave jobs or take pay cuts to escape toxic environments. (EEOC)
4. Companies with inclusive cultures experience 25% higher profitability. Addressing harassment and fostering inclusivity benefit both employees and bottom lines. (McKinsey & Company)
5. Workplaces with anti-harassment training see a 30% reduction in legal claims. Prevention efforts pay off in reduced costs and improved workplace morale. (Statista)

Addressing Workplace Harassment

Organizations are increasingly investing in strategies to prevent and address workplace harassment.

1. 85% of companies provide workplace harassment training. Education raises awareness and equips employees to address issues. (SHRM)
2. Organizations with formal anti-harassment policies see a 50% reduction in incidents. Clear rules and enforcement deter inappropriate behavior. (EEOC)
3. Anonymous reporting tools increase incident reporting by 30%. Confidential systems give victims a safe way to come forward. (Forbes)
4. Diversity and inclusion programs reduce harassment cases by 25%. Promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity helps combat systemic biases. (Harvard Business Review)
5. Anti-harassment training focused on bystander intervention improves reporting rates by 40%. Empowering colleagues to step in reduces incidents. (Pew Research Center)