Pie Insurance has published its 2025 Small Business Employee Voice on Workplace Safety Report, which differences in how employers and employees view workplace safety priorities.
The report found that both groups agree about half of workplace injuries are preventable and that creating safer workplaces is a shared priority. However, 67% of employees say they have safety concerns at work, and 58% have witnessed workplace injuries in the past year. Additionally, 43% of employees report feeling pressured to work through unsafe conditions.
In the current business environment, small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly expanding into higher-risk work to remain profitable. This shift means that workplace safety and insurance challenges are evolving, with brokers now required to provide more advisory support to help clients understand the risk-reward of new contracts and how these decisions impact insurance premiums.
For example, many small business owners are unaware that diversifying into riskier sectors – such as landscapers taking on snow removal – can significantly increase their insurance costs, with minimum premiums for some operations starting at $20,000.
Mental health has emerged as the leading workplace safety concern among employees, with 32% identifying it as their top issue. This surpasses concerns about physical injury (20%), environmental hazards (9%), and equipment safety (4%).
The report notes a disconnect between employer and employee confidence on mental health support: 91% of employers are confident in their ability to address mental health issues, but only 62% of employees share that confidence.
Workplace stress is not confined to working hours. Thirty-six percent of employees say stress from work affects their personal lives, resulting in lower motivation, increased anxiety, and sleep problems.
The report identifies communication and training as areas for improvement. While 83% of employees feel comfortable reporting safety concerns, 17% hesitate. Among those reluctant to speak up, 35% fear retaliation, 33% do not want to seem difficult, and 31% doubt any action will be taken.
There is also a gap in safety training: 63% of employers believe they provide structured safety training, but only 29% of employees say they receive it regularly, and 28% report never having received formal training.
Employees are seeking practical safety solutions, including flexible work hours or remote work options (19%) and allowances for mental health days (17%). Twenty-two percent of employees want more involvement in safety decision-making, indicating a desire to participate in shaping workplace safety policies.
“What I find most meaningful about this data is that it shows the gap between what employers think they're providing and what employees actually experience, and that's where the real opportunity lies,” said Carla Woodard (pictured above), senior vice president of claims at Pie.
She noted that small businesses engaging employees in safety decisions can build modern safety cultures that both attract talent and improve outcomes. “That's the kind of competitive advantage you can't buy,” Woodard said.
The report suggests that bridging the perception gap between employers and employees is less about launching new programs and more about ensuring current efforts are effective and accessible. For small businesses, addressing these gaps could not only enhance employee wellbeing but also strengthen business performance in a competitive labor market.
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