How to Build Trust in Workplace Misconduct Reporting

Our latest research found that more than one-quarter of people have experienced bullying or harassment at work in the past year. Yet almost 60% chose not to report it.

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In a recent article for HRZone, our CEO and Co-Founder, Gemma McCall, explores why organisations need to stop viewing workplace misconduct as a reporting problem and start addressing the trust issues that prevent people from speaking up in the first place.

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Here is a taster of what Gemma discusses:

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‍"The biggest barrier usually isn’t whether a reporting route exists, it’s whether people trust what will happen if they use it."

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The article examines the disconnect many organisations face. While reporting channels, policies and procedures are becoming increasingly common, employees often remain reluctant to use them. Fear of retaliation, concerns about career impact and a lack of faith in outcomes continue to keep people silent, even when they experience serious misconduct.

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Gemma argues that effective reporting pathways begin long before someone raises a concern. Employees need clarity on how reporting works, confidence that concerns will be handled fairly and visible evidence that speaking up leads to meaningful action.

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"It’s not about taking things from ‘no process’ to ‘process’, but instead, from process to prevention."

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The article also explores why this shift is becoming increasingly important ahead of the new duty under the Employment Rights Act coming into force in October 2026. Organisations will need to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, making trusted reporting pathways, psychological safety and proactive culture management more important than ever.

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Alongside practical guidance for HR teams, Gemma highlights the opportunity organisations have to use reporting data more strategically. Rather than treating reports as isolated incidents, businesses should look for patterns, identify emerging risks and use those insights to prevent issues before they escalate.

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Read Gemma's full article in HRZone to learn how organisations can build trust in their reporting processes, strengthen speak up culture and move from reacting to misconduct to preventing it.

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