A new study shows that a growing percentage of surveyed workers say their workplace is becoming more prone to harassment and toxicity.
Key Details
- A new poll released by the American Psychological Association on July 13 suggests that 19% of workers find their workplace somewhat or very toxic.
- The 2023 Work in America Survey surveyed 2,515 employed adults in April and found that 22% say their mental health has been negatively impacted at work.
- 22% of survey respondent report experiencing workplace harassment, while 28% report negative slights or insults.
- 22% of respondents say they have witnessed workplace discrimination, while 15% admit to being the recipient of it.
Why It’s Important
This year’s results mark a notable increase from last year, with the number of employees reporting harassment increasing from 14% to 22%.
However, it is not all negative news. 77% of workers are somewhat or wholly satisfied with the mental health support they receive. This reflects a growing interest in mental health awareness and resource availability in American companies. 92% of respondents told the study that organizational awareness for mental health issues is important to them.
Some job fields are more aggressive than others. 12% of manual laborers sampled for the survey reported higher rates of physical threats or physical violence on the job, while 5% of office workers and 6% of customer service workers did.
Notable Quote
“The number of individuals who report experiencing a toxic workplace without protection from harm is troubling. No one should feel fear at work. It is clear there is much work to be done to foster a positive work environment for all workers in the nation,” says American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr.
“Our survey data confirm that employees prioritize both physical and psychological support at work and that the practices employers are putting in place are heading in the right direction. However, it is clear there are many areas that require improvement. The number of workers experiencing not only a toxic workplace but also increasing amounts of stress and a lack of respect concerning their personal time is disturbing. The American Psychological Association is committed to providing both employers and employees tools to combat these trends and increase psychological well-being across the workplace in America.”