Whistle-blowing guidance updated for 21st century

New guidance for organisations about whistle-blowing arrangments has been released to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

Standards body BSI has published a new code of practice in association with whistle-blowing charity Public Concern at Work.

The code explains why whistle-blowing is now seen as an essential element of risk management and how it can be used as a key tool in tackling fraud and crime.

The Act protects workers from detrimental treatment or victimisation from their employer if, in the public interest, they blow the whistle on wrongdoing. However, recent research suggested that only 40% of UK businesses provided a comfortable environment for staff wishing to report misconduct.

The new code seeks to change this as it guides organisations on how to run, promote and review effective whistle-blowing arrangements.

Guy Dehn, director of Public Concern at Work, said: "Ten years ago the UK passed the most far-reaching whistle-blowing legislation in the world to protect employees who blow the whistle on organisations doing wrong. The code published today is equally important as it sets out how organisations can get this right in the first place."

The guide was developed by a steering group which included the Audit Commission, the Institute of Directors and TUC.