Workplace Bullying Institute


The Workplace Bullying Institute
U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey
September, 2007


Zogby International conducted 7740 online interviews of a panel that is representative of the adult population of the U.S. This is the largest national scientific survey of the phenomenon in the U.S. to date. WBI wrote the survey.

Key Findings

  • Workplace Bullying is an Epidemic
    37% of American workers, an estimated 54 million people, have been bullied at work. It affects half (49%) of American workers, 71.5 million workers, when witnesses are included. [Section 2]
  • Bullying is Same-Gender/Same-Race Harassment Ignored by Current Laws
    Bullying is 4 times more prevalent than illegal forms of "harassment." [Section 4]
  • American Employers Can and Do Ignore Bullying
    In 62% of the cases, when made aware of bullying, employers worsen the problem or simply do nothing [Section 4], despite losing an estimated 21-28 million workers because of bullying. [Section 8]
    There Oughta Be A Law [The Workplace Bullying Institute-Legislative Campaign at workplacebullyinglaw.org is attempting to effect anti-bullying state laws. 13 states have introduced the WBI Healthy Workplace Bill since 2003.]
  • Most Bullies are Bosses -- the Stereotype is Real
    72% of bullies are bosses. 55% of those bullied are rank-and-file workers. [Section 5]
  • Bullying Most Strongly Affects Women
    Women are targeted by bullies more frequently (in 57% of cases), especially by other women (in 71% of cases). [Section 3]
  • Bullying is a Public Health Hazard
    For 45% of bullied targets, stress affects their health. 33% suffer for more than one year [Section 7]
  • Bullied Individuals are not "Sue Crazy," Many Fail to Even Complain
    Only 3% of bullied targets file lawsuits. 40% never complain. [Section 7]
  • Perpetrators Suffer Little Despite Inflicting Suffering
    Targets have to stop the vast majority of bullying (77%) by losing their jobs despite being the ones harmed. [Section 8]



    Research Report Contents (html format)


    Media Queries: Dr. Gary Namie, WBI Director 360.656.6630
    Copyright 2007, Workplace Bullying Institute, bullyinginstitute.org, Citations of survey results must credit WBI

    The WBI- Zogby 2007 Survey was
    sponsored by a generous gift from the
    Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention
    Cindy Waitt, Executive Director
    Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention

    Book cover: The Bully At Work

    Read The Definitive Self-Help Book
    for the U.S. Anti-Bullying Movement
    by Namie & Namie