Whistleblowing awareness has increased in recent years, with employees across various industries more willing to report workplace concerns, according to new data.
The data, from whistleblowing software and services provider Safecall shows that whistleblowing reports in 2024 rose by 16 percent year-on-year, reaching an all-time high.
Safecall’s annual Benchmark Report, which tracks global trends in whistleblowing reports, found that the non-profit sector had the highest reporting levels, with one report for every 100 employees. Other sectors reporting above the Safecall average of one report per 370 employees included food processing, wholesale and emergency services.
HR-related complaints remain the most frequently reported issues, accounting for 55 percent of all whistleblowing cases. These include bullying, discrimination and unfair treatment, which are often more visible and easier for employees to identify.
Reports related to bribery, corruption, fraud and theft have also reached record levels, now making up 19 percent of cases. Housing associations recorded the highest proportion of these reports, with 60 percent of their whistleblowing cases linked to dishonest behaviour.
Rise in anonymous reporting across key industries
The Benchmark Report highlights an increase in anonymous reporting, particularly within emergency services, where 86 percent of whistleblowers chose not to reveal their identity. In the aviation industry, 76 percent of reports were made anonymously.
Support services, however, recorded higher levels of identified reporting, with 58 percent of employees providing their details. The report suggests that industries with more ‘blue-collar’ roles and fewer office-based employees tend to have a higher number of phone reports. Employees making reports over the phone are more likely to share their contact details, as they develop trust with the call handler.
Increasing confidence in whistleblowing procedures
Joanna Lewis, managing director at Safecall, said that employees are becoming more confident in using whistleblowing procedures to report concerns.
“It’s clear to see that employees across various sectors are becoming more confident making reports, utilising their whistleblowing facilities and highlighting wrongdoing in their workplace,” she said.
She addeds that highlighting trends in whistleblowing reports helps industries take action to improve workplace culture and employee wellbeing.
“Ultimately, we are taking a step in the right direction and as organisations continue to promote ethical practices and build trust within their speak-up systems, we should expect to see a continued increase in reporting levels – allowing companies to investigate appropriately and ensuring malpractice does not slip through the cracks.”
