Workers face workplace harassment, ILO report finds

Nearly one in four workers worldwide has experienced workplace harassment, according to a new report by the United Nations' affiliated International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report, which was released ahead of Wor-kers’ Day, warns that violence and psychological harm at work remain widespread and under addressed despite growing global awareness.

The ILO, in the report’s executive summary, stated: “Exposure to bullying and other forms of violence and harassment is another major concern.”

It notes that 23 per cent of workers globally have experienced at least one form of violence or harassment in their working life, with psychological violence being the most prevalent at 18 per cent.

The organisation emphasised that workplace harassment is part of a broader pattern of psychosocial risks that threaten worker health and productivity.

According to the report, “psychosocial risk factors are responsible for more than 840,000 deaths annually due to associated cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders,” while these risks “lead to nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost each year.”

Beyond the human toll, the ILO highlighted the significant economic consequences of unsafe psychosocial working environments.

The report also links harassment to broader structural workplace conditions, including excessive working hours.

In defining the problem, the ILO explained that the psychosocial working environment includes “the elements of work and interactions at work related to how jobs are designed, how work is organised and managed, and the broader policies, practices and procedures that govern work.”

The ILO stressed that these factors collectively influence both workers’ health and organisational performance.

Furthermore, the organisation noted that prevention is gaining traction globally, with governments increasingly recognising psychosocial risks as a policy priority.

“The prevention of psychosocial hazards is becoming a national priority across regions,” it said, adding that many countries are adopting measures such as monitoring systems, training initiatives and validated assessment tools to better identify and manage workplace risks.

The report cautioned that workplace agreements addressing mental health and harassment remain limited.

It found that only 18 per cent of the 338 agreements recorded between 2000 and 2025 explicitly address mental health or psychosocial factors within occupational health and safety-related provisions.

The ILO stressed that preventing workplace harassment requires systemic change rather than isolated interventions. It emphasised that “prevention is the central objective,” noting that priority should be given to organisational and collective measures that address root causes such as workload pressures, communication failures and weak leadership practices. 

If you are experiencing workplace bullying or harassment, you can seek help from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). For guidance on how to open a case and understand your rights visit www.ccma.org.za.