The percentage of Canadians who have witnessed or experienced harassment in the workplace has noticeably declined in the last two years, according to a Leger Marketing poll commissioned by Queen’s School of Business.
According to the 2014 study, which mirrors a similar poll in 2012, 23% of Canadians say they have personally experienced workplace harassment in their own life, down from 28% in 2012.
Similarly, the percentage of Canadians who say they have witnessed workplace harassment has dropped to 25%, down from 33% 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% versus 20%), the opposite is the case when it comes to personally experiencing it in their own work life. Roughly one in three females (31%) has or is currently experiencing workplace harassment, versus 22% of males.
“It’s encouraging that incidents of workplace harassment appear to be declining. It suggests that recent legislation and increased education against workplace harassment in Canada is helping,” says Jana Raver, associate professor at Queen’s School of Business. “However, the fact that roughly one out of four people still admit to experiencing it personally is hardly cause for a celebration.”
Among the various categories of educational background, university-educated employees are the most likely to report that they have experienced or are currently experiencing workplace harassment (29%), compared with those who have a high school education or less (23%).
The percentage of Canadians reporting a male harasser has declined from 50% in 2012 to 42% in 2014, while the percentage of Canadians reporting female harassers has remained the same at 23%. Interestingly, the percentage of Canadians who say they have witnessed workplace harassment inflicted by both males and females has jumped to 35% from 27% two years ago.
“While Hollywood may stereotype workplace harassers as males, the survey reveals that an increasing percentage of Canadians now report witnessing it from both genders,” she explains.
While harassment can take many different forms, the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario defines it as “engaging in a course of vexatious comment 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. June 15 marked the four-year anniversary of the enforcing legislation against workplace harassment in Ontario.
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