Whistleblowing
Protection from retaliation when you report wrongdoing, illegal activities, or safety concerns at work.
What is Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing protection shields employees who report wrongdoing in the public interest. Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, you cannot be dismissed, disciplined, or treated detrimentally for making protected disclosures about illegal activities, safety violations, environmental damage, or cover-ups within your organization.
This protection is automatic - you don't need a minimum service period, and the disclosure doesn't have to result in action. The key is that you genuinely believed the information was in the public interest and disclosed it to the right person or body.
Whistleblowing dismissals often result in the highest compensation awards because employers who retaliate against whistleblowers are seen as acting against public interest and undermining workplace safety.
Common Reasons
Healthcare workers reporting patient safety concerns or understaffing issues face frequent retaliation. We've represented nurses dismissed for raising infection control concerns and care home staff fired for reporting abuse or neglect.
Financial services employees reporting fraud, money laundering, or regulatory breaches often face swift dismissal under false pretenses like "restructuring" or "performance issues." Construction and manufacturing workers highlighting safety violations, faulty equipment, or environmental damage are commonly victimized.
Other frequent cases involve employees reporting discrimination against colleagues, tax evasion, data protection breaches, or covering up mistakes that could harm the public. Employers typically retaliate by creating hostile work environments, false disciplinary actions, or sudden redundancy to silence whistleblowers.
Your Rights and Typical Results
Whistleblowing cases typically achieve £15,000-£45,000 in compensation, often significantly higher than standard unfair dismissal claims due to the public interest nature of these cases and the serious nature of employer retaliation.
Your courage in speaking up deserves legal protection, not punishment. Time limits apply - contact us immediately if you've been dismissed after raising concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
