Breaking the Silence: Top 10 U.S. States Where Workplace Harassment Hit Hardest in 2024

There’s an alarming trend happening now in workplace harassment and exploitation. Forbes has revealed the U.S. states with the highest rates of sexual harassment reports for 2024.

The Top 10 States for Workplace Exploitation

1. North Dakota: With an exploitation score of 83.3, North Dakota ranks as the most abusive state for workers. The state reported 333 workplace injuries and 337 sexual harassment cases per capita.
2. Alaska: Ranked second with an exploitation score of 74.7, Alaska has the highest workplace injury rate (500 per capita) and 166 sexual harassment cases per capita, the third-highest in the country.
3. Vermont: Vermont scored 55.3, with 226 workplace injuries and 220 sexual harassment cases per capita.
4. Minnesota: Despite its second-highest injury rate (411 per capita), Minnesota reported only nine sexual harassment cases per capita, earning an exploitation score of 42.5.
5. Nebraska: Nebraska ranked fifth with an exploitation score of 41.7, reporting 267 injuries and 101 sexual harassment cases per capita.
6. Iowa: With a score of 39.7, Iowa reported 343 injuries and 36 sexual harassment cases per capita.
7. Indiana: Ranking seventh, Indiana reported 280 injuries and 43 sexual harassment cases per capita, with a total of 1,451 cases—the fifth-highest nationally.
8. South Dakota: South Dakota reported 316 injuries and 10 sexual harassment cases per capita, earning an exploitation score of 33.2.
9. Kentucky: Kentucky, with a score of 32.7, reported 312 injuries and 10 sexual harassment cases per capita.
10. Oregon: Oregon rounded out the list with a score of 31.6, reporting 310 injuries and the fewest sexual harassment cases (four per capita) among the top 10.

Why These Findings Matter

This research is important. It sheds light on critical workplace issues. It also highlights areas that need immediate intervention to create safer environments for employees. The findings have far-reaching implications for organizations. They emphasize the need for robust training and enforcement of anti-harassment policies to foster respectful workplaces.

How SAI360 Can Help Combat Workplace Harassment

SAI360 offers innovative Ethics & Compliance training designed to address workplace harassment effectively. By leveraging SAI360’s modern technology, analytics, and expert support, organizations can foster a culture of respect and accountability. With a comprehensive library of customizable content, our platform equips organizations to create safer work environments through education and proactive compliance measures.

Key courses include:

• Recognizing Sexual Harassment: A 16-minute module teaching employees to identify harassment behaviors and respond appropriately.
• When the Unexpected Occurs: A quick, two-minute training using live-action visuals to emphasize company policy compliance.
• Sexual Harassment Investigations: An eight-minute module guiding employees on reporting complaints and preventing retaliation during investigations.

Let’s Start a Conversation

Learn how SAI360 can help your team take the next step toward a harassment-free workplace. Click here to demo our Training solutions.