Protect, a whistleblowing charity, has disclosed a notable rise in whistleblowing calls. In 2023, there was a 23% increase compared to the previous year.
Of those who reached out to Protect’s Advice Line, 41% claimed that their whistleblowing concerns went unaddressed by their employers. Additionally, a concerning 73% reported facing victimization or being coerced into resigning after speaking up.
The sectors affected by these reports span a wide range. The private sector accounted for 42% of the calls, with the public and charity sectors contributing 24% and 23%, respectively.
The health and social work industry experienced the most significant surge, with a 48% increase in calls from 2022 to 2023.
Demographically, nearly half of the callers (44%) earned an annual income below £30,000. Many of these individuals were frontline workers within hospital wards and small charities, expressing concerns about the mistreatment of vulnerable people and the safety of patients.
