The report draws from the findings of the 2024 Skills and Employment Survey (SES), a nationally representative survey that offers detailed insights into the world of work post-pandemic, led by Cardiff University with UCL, Nuffield College, Oxford and the University of Surrey.
The SES surveyed over 5000 people to understand the working lives of adults aged 20-65 living in the UK using a mixture of in-person interviews and online surveys.
Previous evidence monitoring workplace abuse has been sparse. The SES aims to provide up-to-date information on abuse in the workplace across the UK for the first time.
The report found that 14% of UK workers experience some form of workplace abuse – which included instances of physical violence, sexual harassment, bullying, harassment, or cyber bullying – though some workers are at greater risk than others.
While the report notes than only a minority of employees suffer abuse, its effects on wellbeing are lasting and substantial, with consequences on levels of stress, physical and mental health, job dissatisfaction, losses of earnings, absenteeism and rising job turnover.
Instances of abuse also make workers more likely to quit jobs or cease employment altogether, suggesting workplace abuse may contribute to the problem of economic inactivity in the UK.
In terms of professions, nurses are at the greatest risk of abuse (39%), followed by teachers (31%) and night workers (24%).
The risk of workplace abuse is greater in the public sector. Approximately one in five (19.9%) public sector workers are exposed to some form of abuse each year, compared to the private sector (11.6%). This finding is disproportionately shaped by the experiences of caring and people-centred professionals: three in ten workers in these professions experience abuse.
The risk of workplace abuse is greater for women than men (19% versus 10%), and this gender gap in abuse contributes to gender inequalities in pay. Young women under 35 are more likely to be subjected to sexual harassment (6.7%) specifically.
LGBTQ+ employees are also at greater risk of abuse and are three times more likely to be subject to sexual harassment.
Employees from Black African or Caribbean ethnic groups are more likely than White workers to experience bullying (12.7% versus 8.9%) and are somewhat more likely to experience workplace violence.
When grouped together, religious groups less numerous in the UK, including Buddhists, Jews and Sikhs, report a notably higher prevalence of abuse.
The risk of abuse is found to be low for home or hybrid workers (8%) and those working in the Financial Services sector (5%). Asian employees (those from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Chinese backgrounds) are less likely than White workers to face workplace abuse in all forms.
The report notes that instances of abuse tend to occur in workplaces with an unequal distribution of power, and the likelihood of abuse is heightened where that power is unaccountable and uncontrolled.
Moving forward, the report urges the government to develop a system of monitoring workplace abuse to evaluate and enable progress towards improving UK job quality. An analysis of the data could also develop understanding of how policy initiatives – such as the recent amendment to the Equality Act – may be reducing workplace abuse.
Extra attention is called in respect of night work and jobs that involve higher levels of interaction with people, like those in schools or hospitals.
Professor Green says, “Workplace abuse has lasting damaging effects on victims, including loss of commitment and poor health. Yet our survey finds that every year abuse at work is far too common, especially in the public sector. Sexual harassment is endured most by women and by LGBTQ+ workers.
“Employers need to be aware of the risks that stem from unequal power at work, to instil a culture of respect, and set up proper human resource policies to address problems. Our report also calls on the Office for National Statistics to monitor trends in each form of abuse.”
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