How prevalent is workplace mistreatment? A meta‐analytic investigation

Abstract

SummaryOrganizations, researchers, and policymakers rely on estimates of the prevalence of workplace mistreatment in numerous ways, including assessing the need for legal or organizational intervention. However, despite the importance of having accurate prevalence rate estimates, there has not been a systematic attempt to estimate the proportion of employees who encounter mistreatment. This study thus sought to meta‐analytically estimate the prevalence of a comprehensive set of forms of workplace mistreatment. In doing so, we reconcile the substantial variability in prevalence rates reported across studies by exploring factors that may influence prevalence rates. Results showed an average of 34% of employees experienced mistreatment and 44% of employees witnessed mistreatment. Estimates ranged from 16% to 75% for specific forms of experienced mistreatment and 20% to 79% for witnessed mistreatment. Prevalence rates also varied as a function of measurement characteristics. We next used our meta‐analytic prevalence rate estimates to infer the financial cost of mistreatment due to increased sickness absences and productivity loss. The estimated cost ranged from $691.70 billion to $1.97 trillion annually. Finally, results suggest that prevalence rates are lowest in countries where greater legal protections are offered to workers, illustrating the utility of legal efforts in mitigating mistreatment. Recommendations for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers are discussed.