Understanding Workplace Safety from Every Angle

From employer strategies to employee realities—explore the complete picture of workplace safety in 2025 with insights from over 2,000 survey responses.

workplace safety

Please note: the following content was developed for educational purposes only and covers a wide variety of general workplace safety concerns and considerations, some not relevant to workers' compensation coverage.

The Employer Perspective

"Pie Insurance's 2025 State of Small Business Workplace Safety Report"

Pie Insurance's 2025 State of Small Business Workplace Safety Report takes a deep dive into the evolving landscape of workplace safety from the employer perspective, uncovering the most pressing and unexpected risks, emerging trends, and the strategies businesses are using to protect both their employees and their bottom lines.

We surveyed 1,018 small business owners and decision-makers at companies with 2-500 employees. This survey provided insights on safety concerns, uncommon workplace accidents, AI trends, and more.

Key Findings:

  • Rising concerns over mental health in the workplace
  • 50% of injuries were reported as preventable
  • 81% of employers are open to AI adoption with 44% actively using it
  • 42% of small business owners cited employee resistance their biggest obstacle to workplace safety

Read the blog

Survey Details: Pie Insurance commissioned YouGov PLC to conduct a 15-minute online survey. Total sample size was n=1,018 US small businesses with 2-500 employees. Business owners and/or decision-makers were interviewed January 9-18, 2025.

Download full report
switchback-photo

The Employee Reality

"Pie Insurance's 2025 Small Business Employee Voice on Workplace Safety Report"

What do employees really think about workplace safety? Our companion survey of over 1,000 small business employees reveals a startling disconnect between employer intentions and employee reality, and offers practical solutions for bridging the gap.

We surveyed 1,021 small business employees working full or part-time at businesses with 2-500 employees to understand their firsthand experiences with workplace safety.

Key Findings:

  • Mental health has overtaken physical injuries as the #1 employee safety concern
  • 17% of workers hesitate to report safety concerns due to fear of retaliation
  • 28% of employees have never received formal safety training
  • The perception gaps between what employers provide vs. what employees experience

Download the full report, explore the interactive data, and read the blog

Survey Details: Pie Insurance commissioned YouGov PLC to conduct a 15-minute online survey. Total sample size was n=1,021 US small business employees working at businesses with 2-500 employees. The survey was fielded July 24-29, 2025.

Download full report
switchback-photo

The Complete Picture

What We Learned

Where they agree:

  • Mental health is now the #1 workplace safety issue
  • About half of all workplace injuries are reported preventable
  • Both groups want safer workplaces

Where they differ:

  • Training gap: 63% of employers say they provide structured safety training, but only 29% of employees report receiving it
  • Mental health protocols: 52% of employers report having protocols, but only 30% of employees see them
  • Confidence levels: 91% of employers feel confident addressing mental health, but only 62% of employees share that confidence

The bottom line: Understanding both perspectives is key to creating truly effective workplace safety programs.


switchback-photo

Additional Resources

  • 2024 Safety Survey Hub: Previous year's findings
  • [More blogs] - Practical insights for small businesses and agents

Methodology

Thanks for reading! This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not imply coverage under workers' compensation or other insurance offered through Pie Insurance Services, Inc. Please consult an agent or attorney for any questions regarding applicability of insurance coverage in all circumstances.

Important Note on Data Comparisons: When comparing data between the employer and employee surveys, readers should note that the two studies surveyed different populations and some survey questions may have been framed differently to accommodate different perspectives. These methodological differences should be considered when interpreting comparative findings.

*Any mention of cost throughout the reports is based on answers from respondents being asked how much their business spent on workers' compensation or commercial auto insurance, medical expenses, and/or legal costs related to workplace or commercial vehicle accidents in the past year.