The Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Gallup conducted the first-ever global survey on workplace violence and harassment, which found that more than 20% of workers have experienced physical, psychological, or sexual violence or harassment at work. The survey found that the problem is pervasive and disproportionately affects employees, especially young people, women and foreign workers, as opposed to the self-employed.
Workplace violence and harassment: the global survey
The recent phenomenon of 'quiet firing' is causing concern among labor experts and workers. While the practice is not new, it appears to be gaining momentum in response to the "quiet quitting" trend in the United States. Companies are allegedly taking steps to remove workers they deem unproductive in order to increase productivity. However, these practices can cross the line into harassment and raise legal concerns.
In 2021, the Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF), a global independent charity, conducted a survey of 125,000 people from 121 countries and territories. This survey provided the basis for a joint study by LRF, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Gallup, an agency specializing in providing analysis and advice to leaders and organizations. The study aimed to examine the prevalence of violence and harassment in the workplace worldwide and to identify risk factors and key trends.
A pervasive issue with hidden consequences
The statistics are alarming: one in five workers report experiencing violence or harassment at work. The problem is even more worrying for the 58.5% of victims who experience repeated incidents. Psychological violence is the most common form of harassment, affecting 16.5% of workers, followed by physical violence at 7.4% and sexual violence at 5.5%.
Psychological violence is the most challenging form of harassment to prove because it can be insidious and does not always leave physical evidence. Some employers use this lack of physical evidence to maintain power over their victims. This is a particular problem for migrant workers, who may be more vulnerable than others. Foreign workers may not be aware of their legal rights, and language barriers can complicate matters.
Foreign workers are often reluctant to report harassment at work for fear of being stigmatized or losing their jobs. While slightly more men than women report being harassed at work (21.9% compared to 19.8%), women are more likely to experience sexual harassment (32.9% compared to 15.4% of men).
Regional differences in violence and harassment at work
A recent study has found that the incidence of violence and harassment in the workplace varies widely between regions and countries. For example, the study found that Australia and New Zealand had the highest rates of violence and harassment, with 52% of women and 44% of men reporting incidents, followed by North America, with 48% of women and 35% of men reporting incidents. Conversely, East Africa had comparatively lower rates, with only 30% of women and 22% of men reporting incidents.
Looking at specific countries, the study found that the highest reporting rates were observed in Australia, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Denmark, the USA, Norway, Canada, Greece and Sweden, with percentages ranging from 49.1% to 36.9%. Australia had the highest rate, while Sweden had the lowest. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Indonesia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan had the lowest reporting rates, ranging from 7.4% to 3%.
The study suggests that countries with strong legislation against violence and harassment at work, such as Finland, may have higher reporting rates because more cases are classified as such and more incidents are reported. Conversely, lower reporting rates in countries such as Lebanon, Malaysia, or Pakistan may indicate greater tolerance of violence and harassment at work. These findings highlight the need for more significant efforts to prevent and address violence and harassment at work, particularly in countries where reporting rates are low.
Foreign-born workers more vulnerable to violence and harassment at work
A recent study has found that foreign-born workers are at greater risk of violence and harassment at work than other groups. The study found that 44% of foreign-born workers reported experiencing violence and harassment at work and discrimination because of their skin color. In comparison, 42% reported incidents of violence and discrimination because of their ethnicity or nationality. These rates were second only to gender discrimination, which was reported by 46% of respondents.
The study highlighted that foreign-born women were more likely to experience violence and harassment at work, with 30% reporting such incidents compared to 21% of native-born women.
However, foreign-born men were similarly affected, with 26% experiencing violence and discrimination compared to 23% of native-born men. It is important to note that the survey did not ask directly about the migrant status of respondents, and the term 'foreign-born' includes both short-term and long-term migrants, as well as those who have acquired citizenship in the host country. Nevertheless, the results underline the need for better protection of foreign-born workers and tackling workplace discrimination.
Over-representation of foreign-born women
Foreign-born women are disproportionately impacted by workplace violence and harassment due to their status. Research has shown that women, in general, are more likely to experience violence at work, and numerous cases of harassment have highlighted the ongoing struggle for women's rights. The toxic relationships that permeate the workplace can be particularly damaging to women.
Discrimination against foreign-born women manifests in multiple ways, including gender, ethnicity, nationality, and race. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in discriminatory practices against Asian populations. Moreover, government proposals to relax immigration policies in countries like France, Finland, and Sweden have stirred controversy among some residents.
Challenges faced by expatriates in reporting violence and harassment at work
Foreign workers face significant barriers to reporting incidents of violence and harassment in the workplace. Many are reluctant to speak out due to a lack of understanding of the appropriate steps to take, unfamiliarity with laws and rights in the host country, or a lack of support services. In some cases, laws and protections for migrant workers may not be as advanced as in other countries. In addition, cultural factors play a crucial role, particularly for female expatriates in positions of authority in societies where such roles may be viewed negatively.
This is compounded by the fear of retaliation, which can lead to even greater risks. Some employers use this fear to maintain pressure on migrant workers by threatening their work permits or promotions or by discrediting them among colleagues. These practices are illegal, but they still occur, especially in low-wage socio-professional contexts.
The results of a recent study highlight the prevalence of violence and harassment at work, which varies considerably between regions and countries. Nevertheless, the study underlines that violence and harassment at work are significant and worrying problems that not only affect individuals but also have economic consequences. The International Labour Organization, the Labour Rights Forum and Gallup call for urgent action to address this problem and urge all countries to ratify ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment at Work to protect all workers, regardless of their nationality or origin.
