Fear,Cancellation and Work

A short, anonymous survey exploring how fear of reputational fallout is affecting work, business and professional life

Estimated completion time 4–5 minutes. Email: janet@janetmurray.co.uk with any questions
Q1. Which best describes you?

Business owner/founder (including not-for-profit)FreelancerCreative ProfessionalCampaignerEmployeeOther
If you selected 'other', please share more below
Q2. Have you ever avoided expressing a view at work - or in a professional context - because you feared negative consequences?

Yes, oftenYes, occasionallyNoPrefer not to say
Q3. Have you experienced any of the following consequences as a result of sharing your views on a contentious topic e.g. gender, race, politics, religion? (Select all that apply)

Loss of income or work opportunitiesLoss of clients, collaborators, suppliers, or professional contactsStrain or breakdown of professional relationshipsReduced confidence in professional settingsStrain or breakdown of personal relationships or friendshipsAvoiding opportunities, projects, or public-facing workIncreased scrutiny or complaintsNo significant consequencesOther (optional)
If you selected ‘other’ please share more below:
Q4. Has fear of reputational or professional fallout influenced any of the following? (Select all that apply)

Which clients I work withWho I hire or collaborate withWhich suppliers or platforms I useWhat I say publicly (including on social media)What types of projects I pursueIt hasn’t influenced my decisionsOther (optional)
If you selected ‘other’ please share more below:
Q5. Would you be willing to work professionally with someone whose political or ideological views differ from your own?

Yes - the quality of the work is what mattersIt depends on what those views areNoNot sure
Q6. Would you value being part of a professional network where people prioritise the quality of your work over politics or ideology?

YesMaybeNoNot sure
Q7. What kinds of support would you value in a professional network like this? (Select all that apply)

Peer support from people in similar professional situationsRecommendations or referrals to trusted, like-minded clients or suppliers option 2Job or work opportunities with like-minded organisationsAdvice on managing reputational or professional risk linked to cancellationLegal information or signpostingOff-the-record discussions or private forumsMentoring or one-to-one supportI wouldn’t value any specific supportOther (optional)
If you selected ‘other’ please share more below:
Q8. Is there anything else you’d like to share about how fear, ideology or cancellation has affected your professional life?

0/1000
Q9. Would you be open to being contacted about either of the following? If you select either of the first two options, please add your email address below.

Follow-up about research findings or a written reportInformation on a future professional networkNo - please don’t contact me
Q10. Email address
Your details will only be used for the purposes you’ve agreed to. You can withdraw consent at any time.
About This Survey

After being publicly criticised and professionally sidelined for saying I don’t like the phrase “pregnant people”, I’m rebuilding my professional life in my 50s. I lost clients, long-standing contractors and business connections - not because of the quality of my work, but because I stated a biological reality.

That experience prompted me to look more closely at how fear of reputational fallout may be shaping professional life more broadly - particularly for creatives, campaigners and entrepreneurs - and whether people feel able to do their best work in that environment.

This survey is part of an effort to better understand those experiences.

Anonymous responses may be quoted or summarised in a non-identifying way. Where participants provide contact details, any future use of their comments (for example in a written report) would be discussed with them in advance.

Janet Murray
Should be Empty:

A short, anonymous survey exploring how fear of reputational fallout is affecting work, business and professional life

About This Survey