How do employees perceive the jargon in their workplace? And to what extent do employees feel they are mistreated or subjected to varying degrees of abusive behaviour from their colleagues, managers or others in work situations?
Harmful jargon
In the Harassment Barometer, 12 % indicate that in their workplace, to a fairly large or very large extent, there is a jargon that people can take offence to. There is no difference between the experiences of women and men.
In the age group 18-29, 15 % say that there is such harmful jargon. In the age group 30-49, 14 % report it and in the age group 50-64, 8 % report it.
Ill-treatment and victimisation
The harassment survey asks about ten behaviours that, to varying degrees, relate to being mistreated or subjected to offensive behaviour in the workplace.
For many of the behaviours, women's and men's experiences are similar, but in some cases they differ.
- Felt that you were not listened to: 83 % of women and 78 % of men.
- Felt isolated or ostracised from the rest of the work group: 33 % of women and 29 % of men.
- Experienced being offended or disliked by a colleague: 37 % of women and 31 % of men.
- Perceived that you have been insulted or disfavoured by a manager or supervisor: 35 % of women and 33 % of men.
- Experienced being offended or mistreated by a third person (customer, patient, student, relative or similar): 55 % of women and 42 % of men.
- Felt threatened by a colleague: 9 % of women and 7 % of men.
- Experienced withholding opinions in order not to jeopardise your position at work: 55 % by both men and women.
- Experienced withholding opinions for fear of reprisals: 39 % of women and 38 % of men.
- Inappropriate stares or looks that made you feel uncomfortable: 25 % of women and 16 % of men.
- Comments about your physical appearance that made you feel uncomfortable: 25 % of women and 18 % of men.
Links to learn more
Read the 2024 Harassment Barometer here (and here is an overview)
