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Understanding the Prevalence of Workplace Backstabbing

In today's corporate landscape, a troubling pattern has emerged, revealing that many employees are not just competing against the market but against each other. A recent report from ResumeBuilder.com sheds light on the unsettling reality of workplace sabotage, showing that 69% of surveyed workers have encountered backstabbers in the last year. This phenomenon, driven largely by fear of layoffs and competition for promotions, brings forth an urgent conversation about trust and camaraderie in professional environments.

Backstabbing: A Common Occurrence

According to the survey conducted in October 2026 with more than 1,000 U.S. adults, a significant 77% of participants consider backstabbing at work to be at least somewhat common. The mechanisms of this sabotage vary, where employees may shift blame, take credit for each other’s work, or even purposely exclude colleagues from crucial discussions. The depths of this behavior are disheartening, as colleagues believed to be allies may actually be working against each other.

These findings suggest that within the competitive business environment, backstabbing has evolved into an almost normalized behavior. Breaking down the experiences of these employees reveals that:

• - 30% reported having been blamed for mistakes they didn't commit.
• - 26% mentioned that colleagues drew unnecessary attention to their errors.
• - 22% faced gossip or rumors spread about them.

Such patterns of undermining behavior contribute to an atmosphere of distrust, leading individuals to question the motives of those around them.

The People You Trust Are Sometimes the Biggest Threats

The survey also uncovered some disturbing insights into the dynamics of teamwork and management. A significant 62% of respondents felt as though someone was trying to push them out of their job. The risk primarily originated from their teams, with 37% suspecting a team member and 19% pointing to their own managers as the culprits. This indicates that the very people with whom workers collaborate the most can often become their greatest enemies.

Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor at ResumeBuilder.com, notes the deep impact of betrayal from a teammate or supervisor. When trust erodes, it leads to a workplace culture rife with fear and uncertainty, compelling professionals to second-guess every conversation and interaction.

Motivations Behind Sabotage

The motivations behind this backstabbing behavior can largely be attributed to ambition and self-preservation. The survey results show that:

• - 37% of participants said colleagues undermine others to protect their own jobs.
• - Another 37% believe it's for recognition.
• - 34% linked the behavior to aspirations for promotions.

These dynamics are further exacerbated by the anxiety surrounding layoffs. Many workers feel the pressure to self-preserve, leading them to become less willing to support one another during crises. In fact, 24% of respondents reported that employees would be less inclined to help colleagues when worried about job security—driving a wedge between teamwork and cooperation.

The Consequences of Fear and Competition

As fears surrounding economic stability loom, the consequences infiltrate workplace relationships. Employees reported the following shifts in dynamics due to layoff anxieties:

• - 24% indicated reduced willingness to help each other.
• - 22% expressed quicker blame-shifting among coworkers.
• - 21% noted a deterioration in trust levels.

These statistics reveal that increasing competition and fear can prompt workers to act against their best interests and those of their colleagues. Surprisingly, even in situations where job security is threatened, more than one-third of employees admitted they would point out a coworker's mistakes if it meant safeguarding their own position.

Moving Forward

In light of these findings, the call to action for both employers and employees is clear. Creating an environment where transparency, support, and trust are prioritized can help mitigate the toxic behaviors stemming from fear and competition. Haller advises employees navigated by this climate to consider exploring other job opportunities rather than remaining in a workplace dominated by distrust.

As the landscape of employment shifts, prioritizing a positive workplace culture is imperative—not just for individual employees but for the overall health and productivity of organizations.

Conclusion

The findings from ResumeBuilder.com's Workplace Backstabbing Report serve as a stark reminder of the profound effects of insecurity in the workplace. It is vital for companies to address these issues head-on, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration to combat the detrimental effects of backstabbing and bolster trust among colleagues.