Whistleblowing Policy

A whistleblowing (“speak up”) policy that tells staff how to raise concerns about wrongdoing, such as fraud, danger to health and safety, legal breaches or sexual harassment, and how you will protect and respond to them. It reflects the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 framework and includes a reporting form, an acknowledgement letter, a confidential register and an investigator’s checklist.

• For any employer – whistleblowing protection applies from day one, to employees and workers
• Alongside your grievance and anti-harassment policies
• Where your sector regulator expects a speak-up procedure (e.g. financial services, care, charities)

• Name your Whistleblowing Officer and a deputy, with contact details
• Choose your internal reporting routes, including an option outside the management line
• Check the prescribed persons list in section 11 for your sector
• Brief all staff and train managers on how to respond