A whistleblowing allegation was made at a local council, alleging that a member of staff was working on a self-employed basis during office hours and fabricating their timesheets.
Employees who raise a whistleblowing concern should feel safe in the knowledge that they are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Whistleblowing policies
We recommend that all organisations have an up-to-date whistleblowing policy and independent reporting line.
Your policy should explain what is included under whistleblowing, and how to raise a concern.
If your organisation does not have a policy, or you have a policy but need some additional support implementing it, our team can help.
Schools and academies
If you work at a maintained school, you are covered under your local authority’s whistleblowing policy. Check the list of Veritau’s core clients to see if your policy can be found there.
If you’re a client of our DPO service, please be aware that this doesn’t automatically mean you are a client of our whistleblowing service.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency’s ‘Academy Trust Handbook’ says:
“The academy trust must have procedures for whistleblowing, to protect staff who report individuals they believe are doing something wrong or illegal.”
We provide a specialist annual whistleblowing support service for academies which includes providing a policy template, helpdesk and more.
Want to raise a concern?
If your organisation doesn’t have a policy, or you’re not an employee of one of Veritau’s clients, the following bodies might be able to help.
For general whistleblowing concerns and advice
Contact Protect – the whistleblowing charity (previously called ‘Public Concern at Work’).
Protect can provide free confidential advice on how to raise a concern about malpractice at work on 020 3117 2520.
For concerns about children at risk of abuse
Case study
Whistleblowing investigation into conflict of interest and alleged timesheet fraud
