WASHINGTON — Roughly 4 in 10 HR professionals have witnessed aggressive or criminal behavior in the workplace, according to a new report from HRCI®. The findings suggest employers may be underestimating the frequency and impact of workplace conflict, and how quickly it can escalate when left unaddressed.
The report, Keeping the Workplace Safe, finds that while workplace shootings and other major acts of violence remain rare, less visible forms of conflict—including bullying, threats, aggression and workplace disruption—are affecting employees far more often and can carry significant consequences for mental health, productivity and retention.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe at work," said Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI, the global career partner for the HR profession. "We cannot ignore incidents like bullying or shouting because these situations can escalate into the catastrophic events we fear the most. Conflict should be acknowledged and addressed fully, and never be considered a routine aspect of the workplace."
Key findings include:
Workplace experts note that unresolved conflict can contribute to increased anxiety, absenteeism, turnover, lower morale and reduced productivity. Political tensions are also emerging as a workplace challenge, with more than one-third of HR professionals reporting they have witnessed or heard political arguments at work.
"Regardless of the political climate, everyone at work is entitled to respect—and is responsible for being respectful in return," Dufrane said. "Our job in HR is to create an environment that promotes healthy interaction while also ensuring physical and psychological safety. When we do that, we minimize the situations that result in more serious conflict."
The data was part of HRCI's State of HR 2026 survey, which was completed by almost 4,600 human resources professionals.
The report highlights HR's unique role in helping organizations move from reaction to prevention. Because HR professionals are often the first to respond to patterns of employee conflict, behavioral changes and workplace tensions, they are well positioned to help leaders address issues early and build safer environments. Rather than treating workplace safety as solely a security or compliance issue, the report builds a case that HR should be a key partner in prevention efforts, helping organizations strengthen culture, support employee well-being and prepare for potential incidents before they occur.
To help employers address these challenges, the report recommends taking a proactive approach centered on prevention, early intervention and employee support. Recommended actions include strengthening anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies, creating confidential reporting channels, training managers to recognize warning signs, offering conflict-resolution and de-escalation training, promoting employee assistance programs and developing a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan.
"The best preparation for potential workplace conflict will be tailor-made for your organization, fully integrated and continuously improved," Dufrane said. "This is not a single program or policy, nor a set-it-and-forget situation. As an HR community, we must continually develop and refine the ways we provide physical and psychological safety in the workplace, where employees can thrive without fear."
The full report is available for download here.
About HRCI
HRCI is the career partner for the human resource profession, supporting HR professionals and the organizations that rely on them. Through applied learning, professional connection, and globally trusted standards, HRCI helps HR thrive as the workplace evolves. For decades, HRCI has set the standard for HR excellence, building a community of certified professionals in over 150 countries. By connecting strategy to practice, HRCI equips HR leaders with the real-world knowledge to drive business forward and shape the Future of Work. Learn more at hrci.org.
About Dr. Dufrane
Dr. Amy Dufrane is a global leader in human resources and workplace management. As CEO of HRCI, the career partner for the HR profession, she brings decades of experience in human capital management and employee wellness to interviews and media appearances. Dufrane helps set the standard for HR, serving as the international secretariat for global HR standards through ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. Her honors include the Global Impact Award of Distinction from the Bowman Foundation for Workplace Equity and Mental Wellness and the Globee Award for Women in Business. For the past four years, she has been named one of the Top 100 HR Tech Influencers by HR Executive magazine. Under her leadership, HRCI was named a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by The Washington Post and the 2023 ISA Business of the Year.
Media Contact
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