Understanding Workplace Bullying in 2026. Despite ongoing efforts by companies to create healthy work environments, workplace bullying remains a significant issue. This article compiles the most recent statistics and insights on workplace bullying, highlighting its prevalence and impact on employees in today’s labor market.
-
30% of Americans have experienced bullying at work.
-
At least 48.6 million Americans have faced workplace bullying.
-
Workplace bullying has increased by 57% since 2017.
-
19% of people have witnessed workplace bullying.
-
49% of employees have been affected by workplace bullying in some way.
For a deeper understanding, we’ve categorized the data into the following sections: Prevalence | Victims | Bullies | Consequences | Reporting
Prevalence of Workplace Bullying
Despite growing awareness, workplace bullying is becoming increasingly common. Here are key statistics reflecting its prevalence:
-
49% of employees are affected by workplace bullying.
19% have witnessed it firsthand, while a striking 30% have been bullied themselves.
-
66% of employees aware of bullying
While most employees recognize bullying exists, nearly a third still experience it. It’s unclear if the unaware portion contributes to the issue.
Workplace Bullying Victims
Every instance of bullying impacts real individuals, and the consequences can be severe. Here’s what we know about typical workplace bullying victims:
-
Non-management employees are 30% more likely to be bullied.
52% of bullying victims are non-management workers, compared to 40% in management roles.
-
Women are 38% more likely to be bullied in the workplace.
58% of bullying victims are women, while 42% are men.
-
Female bullies target other women 68% of the time.
Although 69% of workplace bullies are men, they target women 57% of the time. Female bullies, while less common, tend to target other women more frequently.
Who Are Workplace Bullies?
Understanding the profile of workplace bullies can help in addressing the issue. Here are some crucial statistics:
-
65% of workplace bullies are bosses and managers.
Power dynamics play a significant role in bullying; managers are over 85% more likely to engage in bullying behavior than their subordinates.
-
Men are more than 2x as likely to be workplace bullies compared to women.
69% of workplace bullies are men, versus 31% who are women.
-
56% of workplace bullying involves gossip or exclusion.
Many adult workplaces continue to reflect high school dynamics with gossip and exclusionary behaviors.
Consequences of Workplace Bullying
The repercussions of bullying extend beyond the individual, affecting overall workplace culture and productivity. Consider these facts:
-
57% of employees cite harassment as a reason for leaving their jobs.
Bullying is a leading factor in employee turnover, illustrating its profound impact on job satisfaction.
-
Bully victims have an average resignation rate of 23%.
Nearly one-fourth of bullying victims resign, which is significantly higher than other resignation factors.
-
20% of all employees have quit due to bullying.
While 23% of bullying victims resign, the total number of employees experiencing bullying is much higher.
-
Only 5% of workplace bullying incidents are resolved.
This low resolution rate contributes to the high turnover associated with workplace bullying.
Reporting Workplace Bullying
Many cases of workplace bullying go unreported, exacerbating the problem. Here are some key reporting statistics:
-
Only 50% of employees report bullying behaviors.
The reluctance to report bullying complicates efforts to address and eliminate it.
-
40% of bullied employees have reported their situation for over a year.
Inaction from management is a significant issue, as many victims are met with silence after reporting their experiences.
Remote Workplace Bullying
Contrary to popular belief, remote workers face their own challenges, including bullying. Consider these statistics:
-
45% of remote workers report being bullied.
Remote employees are actually more likely to experience bullying than their in-office counterparts.
-
35% of remote workers have been bullied during virtual meetings.
Public bullying in virtual meetings is more common than private incidents, with only 15% reporting private bullying.
-
23% of remote workers aged 50 or older report increased age-based harassment.
While younger employees often face physical harassment (55.8%), older employees frequently experience psychological harassment (38%).
Workplace Bullying FAQ
-
What percentage of people work in a toxic work environment?
22% of workers are in a toxic work environment. If you’re concerned about your workplace, here are some indicators:
-
Lack of Open Communication: Employees feel discouraged from expressing their opinions due to fear of retaliation.
-
Micromanagement: Excessive monitoring by supervisors undermines trust and employee autonomy.
-
Unhealthy Competition: A cutthroat atmosphere hampers collaboration and teamwork.
-
Discrimination and Harassment: Issues based on gender, race, or other characteristics are prevalent and often unaddressed.
-
Unrealistic Expectations: Employees face unattainable workloads leading to burnout and stress.
-
-
What percentage of employees have experienced harassment at work?
52% of employees have faced harassment at work. This includes various forms of harassment, which are unfortunately common across workplaces.
Conclusion
Workplace bullying remains a critical issue that demands attention. With 30% of employees reporting personal experiences and 19% witnessing bullying, it’s clear that this problem affects many. Women and older employees often bear the brunt of such behaviors.
Despite increased awareness, half of employees choose not to report bullying incidents, often believing that reporting will lead to no resolution.
To enhance workplace culture and reduce employee turnover, organizations must actively address workplace bullying through strong policies, accountability, and a commitment to fostering a positive work environment.
References
-
Fingerprint For Success – Workplace bullying is on the rise. Learn how to stop it.
-
The Joint Commission – Quick Safety 24: Bullying has no place in health care (Updated June 2021)
-
Forbes – One In Five Workers Has Left Their Job Because Of Bullying
-
Bender – Are Workplace Bullies Lurking in Your Remote Environment?
-
CNBC – 38% of workers still experience harassment remotely—here’s what employers can do about it
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
