Whistleblowing: How the law protects you

In the complex landscape of the corporate world, it is not uncommon to witness actions that raise ethical or legal questions.

In this article, we cover the crucial topic of whistleblowing and the legal safeguards in place to protect individuals who take the brave step to report wrongdoing.

Whistleblowing refers to the act of reporting unlawful, unethical, or unsafe practices at the workplace.

In the UK, whistleblowers are protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA), part of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

This legislation ensures that employees are safeguarded against detrimental treatment or dismissal because of their whistleblowing.

It is essential to understand that the law protects you in several ways:

• Confidentiality: Your identity can be kept confidential unless disclosure is necessary for the investigation or required by law.
• Protection from dismissal: If you are dismissed for whistleblowing, it is considered automatically unfair, and you can bring a claim to the employment tribunal.
• Protection from detriment: You are protected from being subjected to any detriment, such as demotion or discrimination, due to your whistleblowing.
• Qualified disclosures: The PIDA protects disclosures that, in the reasonable belief of the worker, are made in the public interest and show that a criminal offence, breach of legal obligation, miscarriage of justice, danger to health and safety, or environmental damage has occurred or is likely to occur.

To avail yourself of these protections, it is advisable to follow the correct procedures for making a disclosure, which generally involves reporting the issue to your employer in the first instance.

However, in some cases, reporting to a prescribed person or body, such as a regulatory authority, may be appropriate.

Remember, by raising your voice, you play a pivotal role in upholding justice and promoting a safer and more ethical working environment.

Experienced solicitors can provide you with the necessary guidance and support to navigate the sensitive process of whistleblowing.

To learn more, get in touch with one of our experts.