Whistleblowing
Employers should have a whistleblowing (protected disclosure) procedure for a worker to raise genuine concerns about a colleague’s conduct or the employer’s practices.
The procedure should allow for the worker to raise these concerns with a nominated person and set out the steps that the employer will take in response.
A disclosure will be protected if the employee reasonably believes that the disclosure is made in the public interest. Protections include the right not to be unfairly dismissed or to suffer a detriment for blowing the whistle.
Three quarters of whistleblowers ‘retaliated against’ by their employer
Three-quarters of whistleblowers experience retaliation from their employer including bullying, attempts to destroy evidence and dismissal, according to a group...
Whistleblowing v grievance: how should sexual harassment be raised?
Following high-profile allegations of sexual harassment by staff, employees are now more empowered to speak up about inappropriate behaviour than...
Seven million reasons not to cheat on competition
For many, the notion of a cartel may conjure up images of Columbian drug barons, but UK businesses need to...
Supreme Court to hear ‘judges are workers’ case
A judge who is seeking a clarification in the law to recognise judges as workers will make her case at...
Whistleblowing culture ‘firmly entrenched’ in the UK
Although 35% of UK businesses have no system in place for whistleblowing, a comparison with other economically similar nations in Europe shows that the UK is ahead of the curve.
‘Extend whistleblowing protections in line with new EU law’
The government is being urged to adopt new EU whistleblowing legislation, to avoid the risk of UK whistleblowers being left behind.
Putting a stop to the misuse of NDAs
After the government this month outlined plans to outlaw the unethical use of non-disclosures agreements, Michael Hibbs looks at situations...
Legal guidance: Whistleblowing in the NHS
Consultant editor Darren Newman considers whistleblowing in the NHS, focusing on the public interest test and the danger of working...
Unethical use of NDAs to be outlawed
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and confidentiality clauses that attempt to conceal harassment and discrimination could be made unlawful under proposals announced by government.
How to take precautions to avoid a toxic work environment
Independent investigations into misconduct at both Amnesty International and Oxfam suggest that toxic workplace cultures can have serious consequences. What...
Six employment law decisions that will shape 2019
Which employment law decisions will shape 2019? We outline six of the most significant cases in the pipeline – from...
Judge takes appeal to be recognised as ‘worker’ to the Supreme Court
A judge who is attempting to be recognised as a “worker”, therefore entitling her to certain employment rights, is taking...
Employers need support around whistleblowing argues charity
Whistleblowing support charity Protect celebrates its 25th anniversary with a benchmarking tool that aims to help organisations build trust and...
Directors must pay £2m in landmark whistleblowing case
Two individual directors have been held liable for the unfair sacking of a whistleblower for the first time, in a...
How technology can help employees speak up over misconduct
Allegations of misconduct that enter the public eye can ruin corporate reputations and mark an end to executive careers. HR...
