The perception of workplace safety, both physical and psychological, is evolving. While most modern employees feel a general sense of security going to work, their experience varies across industries and workplaces. For example, manufacturing or retail businesses, which have a large in-person workforce, will have different safety concerns than companies that operate remotely.
But now, disparities are emerging at the generational level. Gen-Z employees are bringing an entirely new perspective on workplace violence and harassment—and with it, a new expectation for safety. And it’s crucial to the well-being of your workplace, and the business as a whole, that you understand and address their unique concerns.
Gen-Z Defines Workplace Violence Differently
My company, Traliant, recently sought to understand the current landscape of workplace violence and harassment. Our “2025 State of Workplace Harassment Report,” which included more than 2,000 employees across multiple industries, found that more than half of Gen-Z employees witnessed an instance of harassment. In the retail space, of more than 500 employees surveyed, nearly 40% of Gen-Zers said they witnessed workplace violence in the last five years.
One contributing factor to these insights could be that Gen-Z simply has a broader understanding of what counts as misconduct or harassment. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workplace violence is “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior that occurs at the work site.” But Gen-Z employees take more subtle types of misconduct into account as well, such as microaggressions, unfair treatment or aggressive behavior. This generation is also more likely to identify non-employee harassers, like customers, vendors or patients.
Our data also found a disconnect between what workplace safety training involves and the scenarios that employees actually experience. For instance, many Gen-Z retail workers feel the training they receive doesn’t adequately prepare them for challenges like aggression from a customer or de-escalating conflict between customers themselves. When employees lack sufficient preparation, they’ll be less confident in handling unsafe situations.
3 Strategies To Improve Workplace Safety
With Gen-Z projected to make up about 30% of the U.S. workforce by 2030, it’s of the utmost importance to close the generational gap in workplace safety. Here are a few strategies to create a safer, more supportive work environment for everyone.
1. Foster a strong ‘Speak Up’ culture.
One aspect of a safe workplace environment is prioritizing open communication. Employees should feel comfortable voicing concerns without fear of retaliation. To encourage this, leaders can:
• Establish clear policies that reinforce the importance of transparency and accountability, ensuring that employees know their feedback is valued and taken seriously.
• Implement anonymous reporting channels to accommodate employees who may be reluctant to come forward publicly.
• Provide multiple avenues for reporting, such as digital platforms, hotlines or third-party services.
2. Offer realistic, industry-specific workplace safety training.
To enhance workplace safety and preparedness, training programs must focus on real-world scenarios so employees are equipped with the practical skills needed to navigate conflicts and address potential safety threats effectively. It’s also important to focus on digital-first offerings. Gen-Z workers grew up receiving on-demand, digital experiences and bite-sized, high-impact content. So they’re looking for fast-paced, visually engaging and interactive training content.
Prioritize immersive learning experiences, such as virtual simulations, scenario-based modules and gamified content. These approaches not only make training more engaging but also ensure employees can actively apply their knowledge, ultimately fostering a more confident and safety-conscious workforce.
3. Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date safety policies.
Clearly defining and communicating acceptable workplace behavior and standards across all levels of your organization is essential. For instance, policies should outline the behavior you expect from employees and what may be categorized as workplace violence or harassment (such as bullying, threatening to cause physical harm to someone and more). Then communicate these policies in training programs, team meetings and employee evaluations to ensure everyone understands them. When employees lack sufficient preparation, they’ll be less confident and effective in handling unsafe situations.
It’s also vital to monitor workplace violence prevention laws, which can change at the local, state and federal level. Staying up to date allows you to revise your workplace safety policies as needed. As a result, you can reduce your organization’s exposure to legal risks and protect its reputation.
By recognizing the generational differences in workplace safety experiences and proactively addressing them, employers can create a more secure and supportive environment that benefits all employees. Thoughtful policies and tailored training programs will not only enhance workplace safety but also strengthen employee confidence and trust in organizational leadership.
Source: Forbes
