Whistleblowing

Employers have a responsibility for the health and safety of their employees. If, after an employee has approached their line manager, or safety representative or trade union representative, about a risk to their health or the health of others (including members of the public) and is not satisified that it has been adequately dealt with, the law provides them with protection if they 'blow the whistle' on their employer.

Whistleblowing legislation

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who 'blow the whistle' about wrongdoing. It applies where a worker has a reasonable belief that their disclosure tends to show one or more of the following offences or breaches:

• a criminal offence;
• the breach of a legal obligation;
• a miscarriage of justice;
• a danger to the health and safety of any individual;
• damage to the environment; or
• deliberate covering up of information tending to show any of the above.

HSE strongly supports measures which protect whistleblowers from any form of victimisation. HSE has a complaints handling system to ensure that concerns about health and safety are dealt with effectively and efficiently. HSE and local authority staff do all that they can to preserve the confidentiality of workers who raise concerns about health and safety, whenever this is requested.

Further help and advice

Public Concern at Work, founded in 1993, is the leading authority on public interest whistleblowing. Its charitable objectives are to promote compliance with the law and good practice in organisations across all sectors. In practical terms, it focuses on the responsibility of workers to raise concerns about malpractice, and the responsibility of those in charge to investigate and remedy such issues. It does this by:

• providing free advice and assistance to individuals who are concerned about apparent danger or malpractice in the workplace;
• offering professional advice, training and consultancy services for employers and organisations;
• influencing public policy through research and campaigning activities.

Public Concern at Work can be contacted on 020 7404 6609 or email helpline@pcaw.co.uk