WHISTLEBLOWING PROTECTION 

If your employer is doing something that you know is wrong it can be a difficult decision whether to report it. You may be worried that your employer will penalise you for speaking up, or that your working relationship will suffer. However, you might also be worried about being held responsible if you don't report the wrongdoing.  

 

We can help you to protect yourself while making a disclosure, or to make a claim if you believe you have been dismissed or treated unfairly because of a disclosure. 

 

You can raise your concern with your employer (they may have a policy explaining the procedure you should follow). However, you do have the right to report your concern to a lawyer or to a prescribed person or body. 

 

A prescribed person or body must be one that deals with the concerns you are raising. For example, reports of wrongdoing in a primary school can be made to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The information you give to your employer, prescribed person or body can be done anonymously. However, if you do give your name and ask for confidentiality, your employer/prescribed person or body should adhere to that. 

 

You should note, that if you do report your concerns to the media, in most cases you will lose your protected right. 

You can expect that your employer or prescribed person/body will listen to your concern and decide if any action needs to be taken. You won’t have any say in how the matter is to be dealt with and at this stage. Your employer or prescribed person/body may not give you much detail as they should keep the confidentiality of the others involved. 

If the matter has not been dealt with to your satisfaction or is ongoing, tell someone else, such as a more senior member of staff or a prescribed person or body. You could also contact the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), the whistleblowing charity Protect or your trade union for more direction.