Whistleblowing policy

This policy applies to all employees and councillors of the council.

Effective Date:

December 2025

Review Date:

December 2028

Author:

Governance Policy Officer

Policy Owned by:

Assistant Director (Legal and Governance)

Statute:

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

Employment Rights Act 1996

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

National Standards and Guidance

Department for Business, Innovation, & skills Whistleblowing guidance 2015 

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Formal Grievance Procedure

Related Policies

Officer Code of Conduct

Complaint Policy and Procedure

Introduction

1.1    The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and Employment Rights Act 1996 protect workers in the public, private, and voluntary sectors from being dismissed or being unfairly treated for making a protected disclosure. This is commonly referred to as Whistleblowing.

1.2    It is important that employees know what to do if, in the course of their work, they come across something that they think is fundamentally wrong, illegal or endangers the public or others within the Council.  

1.3    This policy and the related Procedures and Guidance document, guides employees through the process for raising a concern regarding any wrongdoing, and provides reassurance that reports of wrongdoing will be taken seriously and in confidentiality.

1.4    Further information can be found in the Whistleblowing Procedure. This outlines how the council will process whistleblowing case, handle whistleblower personal information and maintain confidentiality, and provides further information on how whistleblowing is defined according to the legislation.