03 Jun, 2026/ by National Accident Helpline /News
One in three young workers in the UK have been made to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) after suffering a workplace injury, according to new research commissioned by National Accident Helpline.
The study of 2,000 UK employees reveals the extent to which so-called “gagging clauses” are being used across British workplaces - often impacting those least equipped to challenge them.
Overall, one in six UK workers (16%) say they have signed a waiver or NDA following a workplace injury. Among 18-24 year olds, that figure rises sharply to 34%.
Key findings at a glance:
- One in six UK workers (16%) have signed a waiver or NDA after a workplace injury, rising to 34% among 18-24-year-olds.
- More than half of workers (56%) say health and safety in their organisation feels like box-ticking, including 56% of HR professionals.
- One in five workers have personally paid medical costs for a workplace injury, yet 12% say they could not survive financially at all if injured tomorrow.
A culture of silence
The findings suggest that NDAs are not limited to senior roles or specific industries, but are widespread across the workforce - from shop floors to offices and boardrooms.
In London, nearly three in ten workers (29%) report signing a gagging clause after being injured at work. The figure rises to 33% in the IT sector, while even in healthcare, almost a quarter (24%) say the same.
Male employees (22%) are almost twice as likely as women (12%) to have signed such agreements, likely reflecting higher representation in more hazardous industries.
Worryingly, among younger workers, understanding of what they have signed appears limited. Around one in eight (12%) of those aged 18-24 say they cannot remember signing an NDA at all.
“Workers need to know their rights”
John Kushnick, Legal Director at National Accident Helpline, said:
“A third of under-25s have signed an NDA or waiver following a workplace injury. These are young workers at the start of their careers, frequently without proper legal guidance. Many may believe they have signed away their right to claim compensation entirely - but that is not necessarily the case.
An NDA cannot lawfully prevent someone from reporting serious wrongdoing to the relevant authorities, and in many cases, it will not prevent a worker from pursuing a personal injury claim.
Employers cannot use confidentiality agreements as a shield against legitimate claims. Every worker injured on the job needs to know they have rights,and how to use them.”
Safety seen as “box-ticking”
The prevalence of gagging clauses sits within a wider picture of workplace safety being viewed as a formality rather than a priority.
More than half of UK workers (56%) say health and safety measures in their organisation feel like “box-ticking” rather than genuine care. Notably, this view is shared by 56% of HR professionals - the very people responsible for upholding these standards.
Four in ten employees (41%) say they have felt pressured to compromise on safety at work, with nearly one in five (18%) admitting they went ahead with unsafe practices to meet deadlines or targets.
The financial burden of injury
For many workers, the consequences of workplace injury extend far beyond the incident itself.
One in five employees (19%) say they have personally paid for medical treatment following a work-related injury, with an average out-of-pocket cost of £267. Among Baby Boomers, this rises to £555.
At the same time, financial resilience remains low. Around 12% of workers say they would not be able to survive financially at all if they were injured tomorrow.
John Kushnick added:
“These findings paint a concerning picture of health and safety in British workplaces. While employers and HR professionals are seemingly disregarding the importance of a safe working environment, many employees feel they simply cannot afford to prioritise their own safety.
The cost of living means some workers feel they have no choice but to stay in roles they know carry risks and that is a serious issue.”
Claiming for a workplace injury
Have you been injured in accident at work in the last three years? If someone else is to blame, you may be entitled to compensation - even if you've been made to sign an NDA.
Our team can connect you with an expert legal support for a range of workplace injuries, including:
- Falls from height
- Falling objects injuries
- Manual handling injuries
- Delivery driver accidents
- Office injuries
Contact the team today to find out if you could claim.
For media enquiries, please contact: nah@thephagroup.com
Methodology
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,00 workers in the UK (aged 18+) excluding sole traders. The data was collected between 05.03.2026 - 09.03.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. They adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
About National Accident Helpline
National Accident Helpline is the UK's leading provider of personal injury advice, services and support. Since 1993, we have helped more than 2 million people across the UK rebuild their lives following a no-fault accident, recovering over £2 billion in compensation.
We believe that if you have had an injury and it feels wrong, it probably is - and we are committed to helping you make it right. National Accident Helpline has never made a cold call and never will. We are rated ‘Excellent' on Trustpilot for customer recommendation.
For more information, visit www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk