NAVEX Report Reveals Stark Differences in Whistleblowing Practices Between Private and Public Companies

A new analysis of corporate reporting practices reveals substantial differences in how private and public companies handle internal incident reporting, with private companies demonstrating notably higher reporting and substantiation rates compared to their public counterparts.

The NAVEX 2025 Whistleblowing Benchmark Report, which analyzed data from over 4,000 organizations representing nearly 69 million employees, found that private companies received 1.80 reports per 100 employees, compared to 1.10 for public companies. Private companies also substantiated 50% of reported incidents, versus 43% for public companies.

Workplace civility emerged as the most significant reporting category, representing nearly 18% of all reports. Carrie Penman, NAVEX's Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, emphasized that seemingly minor behavioral issues can substantially impact organizational culture and productivity.

The report highlighted several crucial findings, including a record-high median substantiation rate of 46% across all organizations. This trend suggests compliance programs are becoming increasingly sophisticated in investigating and addressing reported incidents.

Notably, reporting channels are evolving, with digital and web-based reporting now surpassing traditional hotline methods. The data also revealed a slight increase in retaliation reporting, though substantiation rates for such claims remain low at 18%.

The comprehensive study provides valuable insights for compliance officers and executives seeking to understand internal reporting dynamics and improve workplace integrity across different organizational structures.