Nearly half of employees have seen workplace harassment over the last five years, according to a new survey released by Traliant. The 2025 State of Workplace Harassment Report, based on responses from more than 2,000 full-time workers in the United States, points to serious gaps in how employers handle harassment prevention and reporting.
The survey indicates that 46 per cent of respondents witnessed harassment and 24 per cent said they were direct targets. Michael Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Traliant, said the findings offer “an alarming picture for employers who want to create positive work environments where employees can bring their best selves to work.”
Additional survey results suggest differences across age groups, with 52 per cent of Gen Z employees reporting they had witnessed harassment, compared to 33 per cent of Boomers. Only 51 per cent of all respondents said they would report an incident if they had to use their name. Meanwhile, 49 per cent would not report at all if there were no anonymous channels, or if they feared retaliation, reputational harm or were not aware of internal procedures.
The report also showed that women were less satisfied with how their employers handled harassment complaints, at 32 per cent dissatisfaction versus 20 per cent for men. The survey was conducted in October 2024 by the independent firm Researchscape, polling US-based adults aged 18 or older in a range of industries and workplace settings.
Traliant describes its goal as helping employers provide resources that promote safer environments. “By prioritizing workplace harassment prevention and giving employees the resources and tools they need, employers can demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being,” said Johnson.
