Workplace Behaviours and Safety Survey Results Show More Work to Do

Monday 26 October 2026

Diversity & Belonging, People & Wellbeing

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG, the College) 2026 Workplace Behaviours and Safety Survey results are now available. More than 1200 members and trainees shared their workplace experiences, including 300 obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) trainees.

While topline results showed a decrease in bullying, harassment, and discrimination from colleagues since 2023, more work is needed to increase safety and respect across O&G workplaces.

“Even though the prevalence of bullying, harassment and discrimination is trending downwards, it is sobering that 34% of respondents told us they had experienced at least one of these behaviours in the previous two years. There can be no cause for celebration when 1 in 3 people reported being treated in this way,” RANZCOG President Dr Nisha Khot said.

Bullying remained the most commonly experienced behaviour, with operating theatres and birth suites again the highest-risk settings for mistreatment from colleagues. Twenty-four per cent of respondents said that their workplace was not psychologically safe.

Concerningly, the percentages of respondents who experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination and were willing to report it fell. The most common themes for not reporting were power imbalance, a belief that nothing would be done, and concerns about retaliation.

“Members and trainees told us that they wanted to see more workplace leadership – at both the O&G department and executive level – and prompt action on complaints. When people feel safe to speak up and employers take action, we close the feedback loop and improve workplace culture,” Dr Khot said.

The College will share aggregated, de-identified data with health departments, as well as summary workplace-level data with employers where ten or more employees responded. Data will also be incorporated into RANZCOG’s monitoring of accredited O&G training sites.

“Fostering respect in health is a sector-wide challenge. The only way we’ll drive down mistreatment is to work in partnership with employers, governments and regulators, with the common understanding that quality patient care starts with workforce wellbeing and workplace culture. RANZCOG will continue to advocate for systemic improvements to workplace environments, using the levers available to the College,” said Dr Khot.

This is the third time RANZCOG has run the survey. It was part of the Fostering Respect Action Plan 2022-26, the College’s four-year plan to build respect and safety in O&G workplaces. The action plan is now complete. RANZCOG will evaluate its implementation to inform the creation of its next action plan. The survey results and the latest Fostering Respect Action Plan progress report are available on our website.