We’re all ears this World Whistleblowers’ Day!

16 June 2023

23rd June 2023 is World Whistleblowers’ Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness, combating corruption, and celebrating a positive speak-up culture within all organisations.

According to the survey by Protect, Public Attitudes to Whistleblowing in the Workplace in 2021, only 43% of respondents knew their employer had a whistleblowing policy in place, and a total of 31% knew how to raise a whistleblowing concern at work. These figures show there is still a long way to go in raising awareness about whistleblowing within organisations.

We recognise the importance of enhancing education around the subject of Whistleblowing and are raising awareness this World Whistleblowers’ Day.

What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is where an employee passes on information or, “blows the whistle” about wrongdoing within an organisation. This could cover a wide range of subjects, such as:

• A criminal offence
• Failing to comply with a legal obligation
• Health or safety breaches / danger
• Miscarriage of justice
• Environmental damage
• Failing to report or deliberately concealing any of the above

Employees are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 as well as the whistleblowing policy in raising their concerns.

You can raise a concern under whistleblowing if you have a reasonable suspicion that one of the above might be happening. Personal grievances and complaints are not covered by whistleblowing law and policies.

We’re all ears

You should feel safe when raising a whistleblowing concern at work, where reasonable suspicion exists. It is recommended you consult your organisations whistleblowing policy before raising a concern.

The policy explains what is included under whistleblowing and how to raise a concern – usually the best course of action is to speak to your line manager in the first instance.

Further advice, guidance and support

• Protect (formerly Public Concern At Work) provides free confidential advice on how to raise a concern on 020 3117 2520.
• Contact the NSPCC or Ofsted for concerns about children at risk of abuse.
• Your whistleblowing policy – if your organisation has one – should have further details about who to contact if you are not satisfied with any responses.

Resources and downloads

Download our “we’re all ears” poster:

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998:

Contact us

Veritau conducts a wide range of investigations. This includes whistleblowing allegations, fraud and corruption, misconduct, breaches of contract, and more.

You don’t need to have an annual support contract with us – we can support you with one-off investigations and projects. Read more about our whistleblowing services.

For academies and non-maintained schools, we provide a specialist whistleblowing support service.

Speak to a member of our team: [email protected] | 01904 552943