New research by the UK’s whistleblowing charity Protect shows that Gen-Z (those aged 18–24-year-olds) are less likely to blow the whistle to their employer compared to older generations. Across every area of potential wrongdoing – from health and safety to fraud and bullying – Gen Z were less likely to raise a concern with their employer compared to every other generation.
A YouGov survey* commissioned by Protect to mark World Whistleblowers’ Day asked people what they would be likely to raise if they witnessed an incident in the workplace.
- Someone’s health or safety being put in danger came out as the biggest issue (77%), with 86% of those age 55 and over saying they would raise a concern, compared with only 56% of Gen Zs.
- The youngest workers (18–24-year-olds) put addressing sexual harassment as their top issue with two thirds of Gen Zs (67%) saying they would raise it if they witnessed it at work. This compares with three quarters (76%) of Millennials (25-34 year olds).
- This trend was replicated across all areas of concern type with younger people (18–24-year-olds) saying they were less likely to raise issues when compared to their older colleagues.
Gen Z put sexual and racial harassment as their top issues, confirming general assumptions that younger workers are less willing to tolerate such behaviour in a workplace.
When asked whether people would ever post on social media about workplace issues only a small minority of Gen X and Boomers said they would consider this, compared to Gen Z and younger Millennials. 18-24 year olds were five times more likely to post on social media about some serious work issues than those aged 55 and over (5% compared to < 1%). Similarly, there was a stark difference between the generations when it came to blowing the whistle via the media where 13% of 18–24-year-olds said they were willing to approach journalists, compared to 1% for those aged 55+.
Sybille Raphael, Legal Director at Protect, said:
The research forms the basis for a new briefing for employers examining the differences in attitudes and experiences to whistleblowing across the generations.
Notes to Editors:
For more information, and to arrange an interview, please contact:
- Mark Ellis, Head of Communications, 07399 128124
- press@protect-advice.org.uk
YouGov survey*:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2121 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd – 3rd June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
Data tables
Question: (option to select all that apply)
| 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55+ | |
| Someone’s health or safety being put in danger | 56% | 70% | 77% | 80% | 86% |
| Someone stealing or defrauding money from your employer, customer or service user | 59% | 64% | 71% | 75% | 79% |
| If I believe someone is covering up wrongdoing | 36% | 51% | 58% | 58% | 60% |
| The company breaking the law (for example does not have the right insurance) | 43% | 51% | 56% | 55% | 59% |
| Actions that risk or actually damage the environment | 39% | 47% | 48% | 47% | 46% |
| Breach of company policy | 29% | 35% | 38% | 40% | 36% |
| Discriminatory behaviour | 55% | 66% | 67% | 67% | 64% |
| Sexual harassment | 67% | 76% | 77% | 77% | 78% |
| Racial harassment | 62% | 68% | 70% | 72% | 71% |
| Bullying | 60% | 69% | 72% | 76% | 80% |
Question: Would you ever post on social media about workplace issues that you believe are of public interest?
| 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55+ | |
| I would post on social media about more trivial work issues | 7% | 6% | 3% | 2% | 1% |
| I would post on social media about SOME serious work issues, but not all | 15% | 9% | 5% | 2% | 3% |
| I would post on social media about all work issues, no matter how serious they were | 4% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| I would never post on social media about any work issue | 61% | 72% | 81% | 84% | 90% |
| Don’t know | 12% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 6% |
Question: If you were to witness wrongdoing or malpractice in the workplace that affected others …Which, if any, of the following actions would you take? (option to select all that apply)
| Actions | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55+ |
| Leave and find a new job | 8% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Follow my employer’s whistleblowing process | 27% | 36% | 44% | 42% | 47% |
| Tell my manager/supervisor about it | 61% | 63% | 63% | 59% | 59% |
| Tell someone else – friends, family etc | 33% | 26% | 21% | 22% | 19% |
| Tell your union rep | 21% | 15% | 13% | 14% | 22% |
| Post about it on social media | 5% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| Go to the press/media | 13% | 2% | 2% | 5% | 1% |
| Other | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 7% |