Results of the “Perceptions and Experiences Workplace Violence and Harassment Research Report” in collaboration with Özyeğin University and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Released

The results of the “Perceptions and Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment Research,” conducted with 3,007 respondents as a collaborative effort between Özyeğin University and the International Labour Organization (ILO) were announced at a launch conference held on October 16, 2024, at Swissôtel The Bosphorus in Istanbul. Attended by prominent guests, including Prof. Barış Tan, President of Özyeğin University; Suat Dede, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Turkish Republic; Malena Mard, Swedish Ambassador to Ankara; and Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Türkiye Office, the conference unveiled comprehensive research on workplace violence and harassment. According to the study, the first of its kind in Türkiye, more than 75% of employees in Türkiye have experienced workplace violence at least once during their careers.

Özyeğin University President Prof. Barış Tan emphasized the University’s commitment to serving society and its collaboration with ILO. Prof. Tan stated: “We undertake a wide range of projects aligned with our mission to create, share, and apply solution-oriented and high-value knowledge at the service of society. We are dedicated to offering innovative solutions to global challenges, enhancing the quality of life, and contributing to a sustainable world. This study is a testament to our mission as a research university, yielding significant findings that will serve as a guiding beacon for the business world. Through this collaborative research conducted with our esteemed partner, the ILO, we aim to generate a profound global scientific, social, and economic impact as an institution firmly opposed to all forms of violence.”

Prof. H. Canan Sümer from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Özyeğin University and the Principal Investigator of the study drew attention to the study’s key findings: “Conducted jointly by Özyeğin University and ILO Türkiye, our study aimed to explore the anatomy of workplace violence within the context of Istanbul through a transdisciplinary approach. Based on data collected from a representative sample, the study examined the prevalence of five distinct types of workplace violence —economic violence, discrimination, psychological violence, physical violence, and sexual violence—as well as employees’ awareness of these types, the factors influencing this awareness, their knowledge levels, coping strategies, and sources of support. The study also collected information on the characteristics of perpetrators and targets of violence. The research report presents the findings and provides recommendations for employers, policymakers, and labor organizations with key responsibilities in preventing violence. We hope this study and the insights presented in this report will contribute to efforts toward a world free of violence and more aligned with the ideal of decent work.”

Perceptions and Experiences of Workplace Violence and Harassment Research Report