According to a survey commissioned by Queen's School of Business, the percentage of Canadians who have witnessed or experienced harassment in the workplace has noticeably declined in the last two years. According to the 2014 study, 23 percent of Canadians say they have personally experienced workplace harassment in their own life, down from 28 percent in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of Canadians who say they have witnessed workplace harassment has dropped to 25 percent, down from 33 percent in 2012. Four percent of Canadians report that they are currently experiencing workplace harassment, or have in the last year, which is virtually unchanged from 2012. The study also reveals that while more men say they have witnessed workplace harassment than women (30 percent versus 20 percent), the opposite is the case when it comes to personally experiencing it in their own work life. Roughly one in three females (31 percent) has or is currently experiencing workplace harassment versus 22 percent of males.

1. WORKPLACE HARASSMENT IN CANADA
Workplace harassment involves upsetting comments or conduct against a worker in
a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome; it may
include bullying, intimidating, or offensive communications, isolation, hostile
non-verbal displays, or sharing offensive pictures or materials.
By Gender
By Occupation
Who is responsible
for harassment?
31%
22%
By Region
35%
42%
Male
27%
31%
> $100,000
$80,000 - $90,000
$60,000 - $79,000
$40,000 - $59,000
23%
Female
Jana Raver
Associate professor, Queen’s School of Business “
25%
25%
21%
Society has made great strides in virtually eliminating many
traditional job-related risks and now we must apply the same
commitment to eradicating workplace harassment, which is
often less obvious.
qsb.ca/insight
Who are targets
of harassment?
Source: Leger Marketing online panel of 1,501 Canadians surveyed April 21 to 25, 2014.
Survey was commissioned by Queen’s School of Business
22%
35%
Both Male & Female
Manitoba
-Sask.
B.C.
Alberta
Ontario
Quebec
19%
Atlantic
Canada
40%
Manual
Worker
31%
Professional
29%
Service
Provider
28%
Office
Worker
25%
Science-Tech
Worker
19%
Salesperson
23%
Manager-Owner
By Income
< $40,000
33%
27%
23%