Whistleblowing Advice

Blowing the whistle can feel daunting. Whether you’ve already raised concerns or are thinking about doing so, you deserve clear, expert guidance and reassurance that your rights are protected.

We understand the challenges whistleblowers face. Speaking up about wrongdoing in the public interest is not only courageous but also protected by law. You should never be treated unfairly or lose your job because you’ve done the right thing.

What counts as whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing, legally known as making a protected disclosure, covers serious issues such as:

• Fraud or other criminal activity
• Health and safety concerns
• Environmental harm
• Miscarriages of justice
• Breaches of legal obligations
• Attempts to cover up any of the above.

Your disclosure must be made with a reasonable belief that the wrongdoing has occurred and that it is made in the public interest. Personal grievances, like bullying or discrimination, are not usually covered unless they relate to wider public interest concerns. Usually, you should make the disclosure to your employer and you should follow the whistleblowing policy if there is one.

Your legal protections

From day one, most workers, including employees, agency staff, LLP members, police officers,  judicial office holders and self-employed doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists and pharmacists in the NHS are protected under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. These protections include:

• Automatic unfair dismissal protection if you’re fired for whistleblowing
• Protection from detriment for whistleblowing, such as demotion, reduced hours, harassment, or denial of training
• No minimum service requirement – your rights apply immediately.

If you suffer retaliation or dismissal, you can pursue an Employment Tribunal claim. There’s no cap on compensation for whistleblowing cases, but there are strict time limits for bringing a claim, so you should seek advice early.

How can we support you?

If you’ve blown the whistle, or are considering it, we’ll guide you through every step:

• Advising on how to make a protected disclosure safely
• Explaining your rights and options clearly
• Supporting you if you face dismissal or detriment
• Representing you in Employment Tribunal claims to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our approach is expert, pragmatic, and empathetic. We’ll provide straightforward advice, anticipate challenges, and work proactively to protect your position.