Benefits packages and employee assistance programmes will be crucial given the reported lack of HR workplace guidance, Canada Life has warned.
The group insurer's research showed two thirds of employees felt there was no support for sexism issues, while only 45% had received help in dealing with racism in the office.
According to Canada life, without much-needed HR guidance employers were left vulnerable to costly stress-related absences and potential legal action.
Paul Avis, sales and marketing director at Canada Life Group Insurance, said: "It is extremely worrying that so many employees are unsure of how to deal with serious problems in the workplace.
"Many benefit packages include support services for employees, such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs) which can provide them with counsel in stressful situations - before the problems snowball into something far more serious."
A quarter of respondents felt they did not get support needed, while 18% said their employer did not care about their welfare.
