The five safety gaps
This report unpacks the five biggest safety gaps affecting workers across Australia and New Zealand. With insights from leading safety and wellbeing experts, it offers a practical roadmap to help organisations support their people with care that’s timely and relevant.
The story behind the numbers:
- The hidden risks facing younger workers
- Women are feeling unsafe
- Men are experiencing an elevated risk of physical harm and exposure to illegal conduct
- The disconnect on psychological safety between management and the workforce
- The pervasive nature of customer aggression
“Just one adverse safety incident at work or during the commute can set up long term maladaptive cognitions about personal safety in employees.”
Senior Psychologist at Sonder
Why did we produce this report?
Our world is shifting beneath our feet. Profound disruption and change unfold against a backdrop of rising tensions and uncertainty. Is it any wonder, then, that safety—both personal and professional—feels increasingly fragile?
Against this landscape, Sonder partnered with YouGov to survey 2,001 workers across Australia and New Zealand. We wanted to understand how people are really feeling about their safety, particularly at work, with a focus on customer aggression and psychological wellbeing.
We’re sharing these findings because we believe that with the right knowledge, good intentions can become meaningful action. Here’s what we found, and what you can do about it.
“The message we send to our frontline teams must be unequivocal: your safety matters, abuse is never acceptable, and we stand ready to protect and support you. Because ultimately, organisations that prioritise employee wellbeing don’t just retain talent – they thrive.”
Chief of Member Operations, Sonder
Who is this report for?
If you’re responsible for people, culture, safety, or risk, this report is for you.
Whether you’re a senior HR leader seeking clarity, a safety or wellbeing professional looking for fresh insight, or a manager on the frontline of daily challenges, The Safety Gap Report 2025 offers practical guidance grounded in real data.
It’s especially relevant for:
- Managers and team leaders
- HR, P&C, and wellbeing teams
- WHS, risk and safety professionals
- Founders, executives, and directors
This report is designed to help you close the gap between good intent and real impact — and create safer, more supportive workplaces for everyone.
“93% of members were satisfied with Sonder’s response after critical incidents, including aggression at work.”
Who is Sonder?
Sonder is a technology company that helps organisations improve the wellbeing of their people so they perform at their best. Our mobile app provides immediate, 24/7 support from a team of safety, medical, and mental health professionals – plus onsite help for time-sensitive scenarios. Accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), our platform gives leaders the insights they need to act on tomorrow’s wellbeing challenges today.
How Sonder provides support for frontline workers
Sonder provides support during and after incidents of customer aggression with 24/7 access to preventative tools and a nationwide on-the-ground response team. Customer aggression, unpredictable shifts, and working alone are just some of the risks frontline workers face every day. Sonder provides support before, during, and after these moments, combining on-demand digital tools with a real-world response network to help keep your people safe.
“We had an incident overnight with an aggressive customer. Sonder was used at about 1am this morning. After helping our employee call the police, the support staff performed hourly check-ins. Our employee described his Sonder experience as being very good and they were very appreciative of the support.”
Methodology
This study was conducted by Sonder in collaboration with YouGov using an online survey methodology between 23rd April and 28th April 2025.
The survey comprised a nationally representative sample of 1,500 Australian workers aged 18 to 64 (excluding those who are self-employed) and 501 New Zealand workers aged 18 to 64 (excluding those who are self-employed), for a total sample of 2,001 ANZ workers aged 18 to 64 (excluding those who are self-employed).
Unless otherwise indicated, the figures cited in this report are based on the above sample sizes. For brevity, respondents will be referred to simply as ‘workers’. YouGov designed the questionnaire, in collaboration with Sonder. Following the completion of the online survey, the data was weighted by age, gender, and location within each country to reflect the latest national population estimates of workers aged 18 to 64 (excluding those who are self-employed).
Disclaimer: The information contained in this report and on this website is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Although all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, Sonder takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions presented. Please contact a legal representative for individual advice.
