NAVEX 2025 Report Highlights Global Whistleblowing Trends and Regional Disparities

The NAVEX 2025 Regional Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report offers an in-depth analysis of over 2.15 million reports from more than 4,000 organizations worldwide, shedding light on the current state of internal reporting. The findings reveal a notable disparity in report volumes, with North American organizations receiving more than twice the reports compared to Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC). Europe, however, has experienced the most significant increase in reporting levels, reaching a record high for the region. This trend suggests a growing awareness and willingness among employees to report misconduct, possibly due to enhanced whistleblower protections and corporate transparency efforts.

Investigation and closure times for whistleblowing cases vary significantly by region, with Europe and APAC taking longer than North America. Despite these differences, the substantiation rates of cases remain consistently high globally, with nearly half of all reports being valid. This consistency underscores the importance of effective internal reporting systems in identifying and addressing misconduct.

Anonymous reporting is highest in South America, followed by APAC and Europe, indicating potential concerns over retaliation in these regions. The substantiation rates for retaliation cases are particularly high in Europe, nearly double that of North America, highlighting the urgent need for robust whistleblower protection mechanisms. The report also explores regional preferences for reporting channels, providing valuable insights for organizations looking to tailor their whistleblowing programs to employee needs.

Carrie Penman, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at NAVEX, stresses the critical role of trusted reporting channels in preventing minor issues from escalating into significant liabilities. The report's findings serve as a crucial resource for organizations aiming to enhance their internal reporting mechanisms and foster a culture of transparency and accountability. For vendors in the human resources industry, these insights offer a roadmap for developing solutions that address the evolving needs of global organizations in managing whistleblowing and incident management.