37 Interesting Workplace Statistics for Slackers & Busy Bees

Workplace Statistics

Did you know that, according to workplace statistics, people spend approximately 13 years and two months working (on average)? Additionally, those who frequently work overtime spend yet another year and two months at work! 

But, what exactly happens at work, and how satisfied are we? What are the latest rates regarding job satisfaction or discrimination? What are the most important perks to look for when applying for a job? How has coronavirus influenced the job market? We’ve got the answers ready for you.

Here are the top ten stats and facts as a fine intro to what comes next.

10 Jaw-Dropping Workplace Statistics for 2022

  • In 2020, only 18.8% of Americans were very satisfied with their job positions.
  • 20,870 Americans reported non-fatal and 444 fatal work-related injuries in 2019
  • 30% of Americans experience workplace bullying.
  • Minorities will become a majority in the American workforce by 2044.
  • 3 in 5 American employees have witnessed or experienced race, age, LGBT, or gender discrimination.
  • Native American, Latinx, and Black women earn 25% less money compared to white men.
  • Jordan has the highest share of female managers – 62%.
  • Only 28% of victims report being sexually harassed at their workplace.
  • About 30% of the employed leave their positions due to conflicts.
  • 21.5% of Canadian workers report they got high at work.

Happiness in the Workplace Statistics

Are Americans satisfied with their work positions? 

1. In 2020, only 18.8% of Americans were very satisfied with their job positions.

(Small Business Trends)

51.1% of people in the US left their jobs while the pandemic was raging in 2020. While 24.9% left by their own choice, 26.2% were fired. 

That said, 2020 was a year when job dissatisfaction went up by 7.4%, compared to the job satisfaction statistics from 2019. In other words, only 18.8% of workers explained they were very pleased with their job. In contrast, 31.9% of people reported being somewhat satisfied and 19.8% were not satisfied. 

2. 70.1% of self-employed Americans are happy with their jobs compared to 66.5% of office workers.

(Forbes)

However, when it comes to payment, 80.8% of office workers reported being happy with their predictable compensation, compared to 59.1% of the self-employed workers who disliked the idea. The latter were also dissatisfied with their benefits (only 39.4% were happy about it).

The results of a big survey regarding workplace statistics from 2019 show that the states with the highest number of self-employment workers are Florida, Georgia, and Vermont. Indiana, West Virginia, and Wisconsin had the lowest number of self-employed people.  

3. Globally, the highest job satisfaction was reported in India. 89% of Indians were very satisfied with their jobs in 2019.

(Randstad)

Next on the list were Mexico (85%), Turkey (80%), Norway (79%), and the US (78%). 

On the other hand, the global workplace statistics show us that Japan was the country with the lowest work satisfaction rates. Only 42% of people were very content with their job position, while 21% claimed to be very dissatisfied.

4. Cartographers and photogrammetrists in the US have the highest job satisfaction rate — 97%.

 (Trade Schools)

Cartographers in the US enjoy their work the most. Rotary drill operators are also in love with what they do (93% of work satisfaction rate), as well as clergymen (90%).

Injuries and Workplace Violence Statistics  

What do the stats tell us about workplace violence? How many fatal and non-fatal work-related injuries are being reported? 

5. 20,870 Americans reported non-fatal injuries by a person.

 (Rave Mobile Safety)

Among the non-fatal work-related injuries in the US, the most prevalent were kicking, hitting, beating, and shoving (in 18,440 of the cases). The verbal assault took second place (550), while 340 people were injured by stabbing, cutting, and piercing.

Workplace death statistics report there were 444 fatal work-related injuries in 2019. Intentional shooting was most prevalent among the fatal injuries (363 people), followed by stabbing (42) and beating (28). 

6. Sierra Leone has the highest rate of occupational injuries since 69% of the employed report having been severely wounded in 2020. 

(Statista)

This African country is the most dangerous place for workers, followed by The Gambia with 64% of work-related injuries, Malawi (62%), and Myanmar (58%). Workplace injury statistics indicate that the safest country for workers is Poland, given that only 4% of workers reported being severely injured. 

7. Fishing and agriculture are the most dangerous occupations in low-income countries.

(Statista)

Based on the stats, 34% of agricultural workers, fishers, and farmers who worked in low-income countries suffered from severe occupational injuries. 23% of the injured workers were men, and 14% were women.

Concerning high-income countries, the greatest danger comes from violence and harassment.  

8. Workplace injury statistics from 2019 suggest that Texas is one of the most dangerous states for workers.

(Insurance Journal)  

In 2019, Texas had the highest percentage of fatal workplace assaults — 9.4%. In fact,  the rates of work-related deaths grew by 25% compared to the previous year. In the same year, the prevalence of lethal injuries was 4.7 per 100,000 full-time workers, while 94% of the fatal injuries happened in the private sector.

Michigan is the second most dangerous state with 5.8% of fatal workplace assaults.

Workplace Bullying Statistics

How many people experience bullying in the workplace? 

9. 30% of Americans experience workplace bullying.

(WBI)

That’s 79.3 million workers! Likewise, 19% of workers reported witnessing bullying in the workplace, whereas 34% are unaware of the problem. Remote workers can also experience bullying.  

The stats show us that 35% of bullying happens via online group meetings, 15% through private messages, 6% through group emails, and 3% through personal emails. 

10. According to workplace stress statistics, 67% of the bullies are men in contrast to 33% of women bullies.

(Workplace Bullying)

58% of male bullies pick up on other males, while 42% of them use female co-workers as their targets. At the same time, female bullies are much more likely to pick on female teammates (65%) than male (35%).  

11. 65% of bullies have a higher rank than their target.

(Workplace Bullying)

Bosses are the most frequent bullies, followed by co-workers (21%) and office bullies with a lower rank than the target (14%).

Diversity in Workplace Statistics

How many companies pride themselves with a diverse workforce, and what are the biggest problems that employers face?

12. Over a 40-year period, the white working-age population has declined by 20%.

(Bonusly)

The US workforce is becoming increasingly diverse, as is the nation itself. By 2020, the white working-age population declined from 83% (over a 40-year period starting from 1980) to 63%. What’s more, the number of workers of color doubled.

13. Minorities will become a majority in the American workforce by 2044, based on estimates by workplace diversity statistics.

(AAUW)

In 2020 the number of multiracial, racial, and ethnic minorities under 18 was higher than the number of their white counterparts. By 2060, the percentage of the white population in the US will be 43.6% 

14. 79% of workers believe they are working for a diverse company.

(Clutch)

On the one hand, employees believe that a diverse company should include different races, ethnicities, nationalities, gender and sexual orientation, and ages, in addition to a disparity of skills, experiences, and aptitudes. 

At the same time, diversity in the workplace statistics reveal many employees think that if their company has one person from a different country or of a different sexual orientation, it automatically means that their company is diverse despite the fact one employee can’t reflect the whole company.

15. 3 in 5 American employees have witnessed or experienced race, age, LGBT, or gender discrimination.

(PR Newswire)

That’s 61% of the workforce that have taken part in some kind of discrimination. Racial discrimination in the workplace statistics suggests that 42% of employees witness or experience racism, ageism (45%), gender discrimination (42%), and LGBT discrimination (33%). 

That said, employees aged between 18 and 34 are 50% more likely to experience or witness discrimination than their colleagues over 55 (33%).

16. 71% of Fortune 500 companies offer transgender-inclusive health benefits to their employees.

(CEI)

Some of the most prominent American companies listed in the Fortune magazine’s annual list incorporate sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy (96%) and gender identity nondiscrimination policy (94%). At the same time, in 2021, 624 major businesses have adopted gender transition guidelines so far. 

Gender Inequality & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Statistics

How many people get sexually harassed each year, and what do the stats tell us about gender inequality?

17. Native American, Latinx, and Black women earn 25% less money compared to white men.

(Sapling

For comparison, for each dollar that a white man earns, Native American, Black, and Latino women earn $0.75, Pacific Islander women and White women earn a bit more, $0.80, i.e., $0.81, while Asian women earn the most — $0.95.

18. Workplace statistics estimate that at least 25% of women are sexually harassed in their workplace.

(Fairygodboss)

Unfortunately, numerous studies show that at least one out of four women is subject to sexual harassment. In some individual case studies, the number is as high as 85%. 

Studies include various data, but the percentages’ variation is probably the result of different samples and questionnaires used by the examinees. Nevertheless, even 25% is an abhorrently high percentage, and it is not to be ignored. 

19. Gender inequality in the workplace statistics show men hold 62% of managerial positions, as compared to women’s 38%.

(McKinsey)

According to the 2019 data, for every 100 men promoted to a higher position, there are only 85 women that got the same recognition. 

The numbers are even more devastating when it comes to women of color and Latinas. In the same respect, only 71 Latinas and 58 Black women are promoted to manager positions. However, the marijuana industry offers interesting prospects for female entrepreneurs and it seems the situation is better in this niche.

20. Women in the workplace statistics indicate Jordan has the highest share of female managers – 62%.

(Weforum)

Besides Jordan, Saint Lucia holds second place, with 57.3%, followed by Botswana (54.5%) and Honduras (50.9%).

In Europe, the highest share of women managers was noted in Belarus, Latvia, Moldova, and Russia. On a global scale, the US ranks in 21st place. 40.7% of American managerial positions are held by women.

21. In 2019, 31% of women from Spain experienced sexual harassment in their workplace.

(Statista)

Workplace sexual harassment statistics show that Spain was the country with the highest share of sexual harassment, compared to other highly developed European countries, like Germany (23%), Italy (21%), and France (18%). As for the UK, its share of work-related sexual harassment is 17%.

22. Only 28% of victims report being sexually harassed at their workplace.

(i-sight)

In contrast, about 72% of victims of work-related sexual harassment stay quiet and never report the attacks. Furthermore, while 98% of companies have a sexual harassment policy, unhappy employees statistics demonstrate that only 51% invest effort into new training or implementing new policies. 

23. Just 10 countries in the world offer equal legal rights for men and women.

(Statista)

Women and men have the same legal rights in Belgium, France, Denmark, Latvia, Luxembourg, Sweden, Iceland, Canada, Portugal, and Ireland. 

Yemen holds the lowest rank in this respect. The US is not positioned very well either and it ranks below Peru and Albania. That comes as a consequence of poor parental leave conditions and salary and pension discrepancies.

24. 70% of mothers with children under the age of 18 engage in work, and what’s more, 75% of them work full-time.

(Career Contessa)

Mothers work hard, according to the workplace productivity statistics supplied by the US Department of Labor. In addition, the report also claims that in about 40% of households, mothers are the primary — and even sole — earners. In the 60s, the figure was much lower — 11%. 

25. Workplace discrimination statistics suggest that lesbian women experience microaggressions at a rate of 71%.

(McKinsey)

As reported, lesbian women are likely targets (more so than their heterosexual counterparts) of unpleasant remarks in the workplace — either about them or about other members of the LGBT community. They are also far more likely to feel the need to hide everything about their personal lives at work. 

Employee Engagement Statistics

How many employers are involved in their work?

26. In 2020, merely 36% of people were engaged in their work.

(Gallup)

On the other hand, the percentage of US workers who were disengaged in 2020 was 14%, according to the Gallup survey data. The highest drop in engagement numbers is noted among non-White employees and people working as managers or company leaders.

27. The highest employee engagement levels of 74% are noted in Latin America, as per employee engagement statistics for 2020.

(Kincentric)

The report, including the data from the second half of 2019, shows us that Latin America has the highest employee engagement levels, followed by the Middle East and North Africa (72%), APAC (71%), North America (66%), Sub-Saharan Africa (62%), and Europe (60%).

28. Companies that work with highly engaged employees are 22% more profitable, employee engagement statistics report.

(Smarp)

Companies spend about $4,129 to hire new people and $986 for their integration into the company. This means that every time the company losses an employee due to its lack of interest, they also lose more than $5,000.

The secret of the engagement lies in trust, team bonds, a sense of purpose, diversity of work, skill development, education support, fun, autonomy, and independence.

29. Workplace conflict statistics from 2020 report that 80% of remote workers have had to deal with disputes.

(Human Resources Online)

Work-related conflicts were most common among co-workers (65%). Next, bosses are very popular (19%), as well as external managers (11%), and people working in other companies (5%). 

The main cause of the conflict is work-related stress (25%), absence of teamwork (25%), and disrespectful behavior (22%).

30. About 30% of the employed leave their positions due to conflicts.

(Emtrain)

Conflict in the workplace statistics also shows that only 32% of employees feel they can be their authentic self on the job, whereas 37% are very likely to say yes to their boss instead of saying no. The greatest source of conflicts? Around a third agrees on power disparity.

31. Hilton was named the best company to work for in 2020. 

(Fortune)

Hilton is the only hospitality company that managed to take the title of the best company two years in a row (2019 and 2020). Ultimate Software and Wegmans Food Markets ranked as the second and the third-best companies on Fortune’s best companies to work for list. 

Cannabis and Workplace Statistics 

What are the work policies regarding cannabis?

32. The legalization of medical marijuana has been associated with a 19.5% decrease in the number of workplace fatalities. 

(NCBI)

Based on the observation of workers aged 25–44, medical marijuana is improving workers’ performance. 

Perhaps the key is in the fact that those who are using medical marijuana do it more responsibly as opposed to workers who see cannabis only as means of enjoying themselves. Medical marijuana users take it so as to be able to function better, not vice versa.

33. The National Safety Council reports about workplace injury statistics show that employees who tested positive for marijuana had 55% more industrial accidents.

(NSC)

Marijuana and the workplace stats also show 85% more injuries and a 75% decrease in focus in workers who use marijuana, as compared to those who tested negative. This is a fine argument against marijuana usage.

34. Only 8% of Canadian employers allow for marijuana usage during workdays.

(CNW)

Despite it being legal, cannabis is not allowed in most workplaces in Canada, as 86% of the workforce reports. The surveyed explained this policy refers to using cannabis before and after work hours, and not just while at the office. 

35. Now for some fun in the workplace statistics — 21.5% of Canadian workers report they got high at work.

(The Conversation)

According to Health Canada’s statistics from the 2017 Canadian Cannabis Survey, 21.5% of cannabis users stated they used cannabis to get high both before and during working hours the previous year. What’s more, 7.7% of them reported using it on a weekly, or even daily, basis before working hours.  

36. Compared to workers from other sectors, hospitality/service workers, including waiters, chefs, housekeepers, concierges, etc. are the most likely to use marijuana.

(Newsweek)

Random drug testing in the workplace facts show that food and beverage industry employees (not necessarily the CBD food industry), as well as hospitality workers, are highly likely to consume marijuana at the workplace. Furthermore, the second most likely ones to engage in the said activity are construction workers.

37. In Canada, only 11% of surveyed companies have a policy regarding medical marijuana.

(HRPA)

According to research conducted by the HRPA, just 11% of companies have a policy addressing medical marijuana at the workplace. For those who do have them in place, 45.9% aren’t sure whether their existing policy properly covers the potential problems that may appear once recreational marijuana is legalized.

Conclusion

Workplace statistics indicate that one spends the largest portion of their day working. Therefore, those who love what they do are more likely to lead fulfilling lives. Yet, what seems to be even more important is the relationship between employees in the workplace. 

It might be that the consumption of medical marijuana (if your workplace policy allows it that is) is what occasionally establishes a peaceful working atmosphere. All things considered — staying up-to-date with the latest statistics is never a bad idea; heck, you might even learn a thing or two about new coping mechanisms regarding work-related stress.

FAQs

What percentage of employees are looking for a new job?

64% of American workers are trying to find a new job or move to a different company. Moreover, 76% of workers under 30 are willing to leave the country and move if they find a suitable job opportunity.

The key factor is job security. 64% of American workers look for a stable position with promotion prospects.

What percent of employees leave because of their boss?

79% of workers would leave their job because of poor management, and not only that. Statistics show us that half of the workers (50%) feel that the boss takes credit for their work, whereas 53% feel like their boss discriminates against them. 

Secondly, 43% of workers claim that they would be willing to return to their job if their boss was replaced. And finally, 77% of workers would quit their job if there was no chance for promotion.

What percentage of employees are engaged at work?

According to the latest stats, 36% of people were engaged in their work in 2020. What’s more, this was the highest decrease in numbers since 2000. 

A higher decline was noted among men than women, with the leaders and managers witnessing the highest drop in numbers. 

There can be many reasons behind this historical drop, from failure to provide a clear direction to financial and health risk, uncertainty about the future, and the returning to the office working.

Why are employees unhappy at work?

Low payment, lack of promotion despite efforts, working overtime, generally poor working conditions, and a lack of support from superiors are the most common reasons why employees are unhappy at work

For example, many people want to work on something exciting and engaging. If the job is too monotonous, they might consider leaving due to boredom. On top of that, if the work is not meaningful, people might lose interest and motivation very quickly. 

What percent of employees are unhappy with their jobs?

26.9% of employed Americans are not satisfied with their jobs, compared to 31.9% of somewhat satisfied and 18.8% of very satisfied people. 2020 was a bad year for workers. Not only did the job dissatisfaction rate grow by 7.4%, but 51.1% of Americans left their jobs.

What employees value most in the workplace?

According to several surveys, healthcare benefits are number one. Namely, when choosing between a lower-paid and a higher-paid position, the future employee is more likely to take the job offering better health benefits.

What are the most common problems in the workplace?

The most common work problems include bad communication, harassment, bullying, gossiping and low morale. 

For example, some managers do not dedicate their attention fully to their employees when it comes to communication, which often leads to misunderstandings and resentment. 

Another example includes bullying and harassment. While bullying is more prevalent among employees that work in the same position, harassment is more frequent among people who have a higher authority over their co-workers. 

In relation to moral issues, workplace statistics suggest that it could lead to bad performance and low productivity.

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