83% willing to whistleblow, only 64% come forward, research finds

The majority (83%) of UK employees would be willing to whistleblow if they witnessed wrongdoing at work, but only 64% of those who witnessed malpractice actually raised the issue, according to research by Skillcast.

Recent reports of workplace harassment and misconduct in the fast-food sector have underscored a pervasive issue that affects employees across industries. 

Skillcast urged organisation to reassess their approach to whistleblowing and sexual harassment policies, ensuring they have the right systems in place to support employees, foster accountability, and prevent misconduct.

Vivek Dodd, director at Skillcast, said: “To create a culture where employees feel confident in raising concerns, businesses must establish secure, anonymous, and easily accessible reporting channels.

“This will help employees feel safe when reporting misconduct and ensure that concerns are taken seriously and addressed with impartiality.”

Dodd highlighted several essential steps businesses should take to address workplace harassment.

He explained: “Protecting whistleblowers is just one part of the equation.

“Businesses must demonstrate clear, visible leadership in tackling workplace harassment.”

He added: “Compliance training programmes emphasise the importance of raising awareness among employees and managers about what constitutes harassment, the legalities of whistleblowing, and how to address unconscious bias.

“Only by embedding a culture of respect and inclusion can businesses start to combat the issues that lead to harassment in the first place.”

Dodd also stressed the importance of reviewing broader systemic factors.

He said: “Issues such as insecure working conditions and power imbalances can contribute to harassment, particularly for vulnerable workers.

“Businesses should reassess their practices to ensure fairness, inclusion, and protection for all employees, regardless of their role or seniority.

“Creating a safe and respectful workplace is not just about complying with the law, it’s essential for long-term success.

“Companies that foster environments where employees feel safe to raise concerns and are protected from harassment will see greater engagement, productivity, and trust from their teams.”