The Government is being urged to draw up a statutory code on whistle-blowing to give people confidence to highlight their concerns.
A report, compiled by industry and academic experts, suggests a code of practice would make it easier for workers to raise issues such as malpractice or dangers to safety without fear of unfair sanction.
The study follows recent scandals such as the blacklisting of construction workers, phone hacking and problems in the NHS.
It was backed by the most high-profile British whistle-blower Michael Woodford, who uncovered a £1.1bn accounting scandal when he took the helm of the camera and medical equipment-maker Olympus and was subsequently sacked.
Mr Woodford, who later agreed a reported £10m payout to settle a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, told Sky News he worked on the report to help whistle-blowers achieve protections he never had.
Three executives were convicted over the fraud at Olympus He spoke of the impact the pressure had on his family at the time, saying his wife was "almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown".
Mr Woodford cited a hypothetical example under the proposed code in which a concern had to be logged in writing.
He said: "At the moment if you have no confidence in your management ... where do you go? What do you do? You're sort of left isolated.
"But the code of practice would mean an exec would have to register your concern ... he is responsible for ensuring that investigation is carried out and that the whistle-blower is protected.
"That is fundamentally different to where we are today."
Sir Anthony Hooper, who chaired the commission on behalf of the charity Public Concern at Work, said of the findings: "Reports into public scandals and tragedies reveal that those who would wish to blow the whistle are prevented or discouraged from so doing and that those who have blown the whistle are not listened to or are punished.
A blacklisting scandal is continuing to grip the construction industry "This report makes practical but far-reaching recommendations for change."
Cathy James, chief executive of Public Concern at Work, added: "The code of practice provides a set of standards against which organisations can be measured.
"The code provides organisations a clear road map for better whistle-blowing arrangements.
"Regulators need to enforce this code and, if necessary, be given the power to do so."
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Whistle-blowing is an important way to root out malpractice and wrongdoing in a workplace."
But with the blacklisting scandal showing that some people have had their careers wrecked for daring to speak out at work, most people are too scared to say anything for fear of retribution.
"It's important that we have stronger legal protections and written workplace procedures for whistle-blowers to underpin the important work that union reps do in supporting workers who speak out."
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