Whistleblowing is a critical aspect of corporate governance, enabling workers to raise concerns about wrongdoing, such as fraud, criminal activity, or risks to health and safety, without fear of retaliation. In England and Wales, the whistleblowing legislation allows workers to make protected disclosures in the public interest and ensures they are safeguarded from dismissal or detriment as a result of their actions
What does a whistleblowing solicitor do?
Our whistleblowing solicitors advise on policies and reporting practices that businesses can implement in their firm, as well as staff training. If an employee has made a whistleblowing complaint, our lawyers can advise you on how to proceed to mitigate risk and deal with the complexities of staff arrangements should further action be needed.
B P Collins has expert knowledge of the law relating to businesses and has been involved in cases that have helped shape the law. If you need advice or have an employee that has gone to tribunal and you need competent representation, then please contact our whistleblowing solicitors who are here to help you.
Whistleblowing policies
Corporate clients should implement robust whistleblowing policies, even though there is no statutory requirement for most companies to do so. Such policies demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices, encourage early reporting of issues and help mitigate risks, including reputational damage. For listed companies and those in the financial services sector, specific regulatory obligations exist under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) rules. These policies should include clear reporting mechanisms, confidentiality assurances and protection against retaliation.
Best practices for whistleblowing arrangements include distinguishing whistleblowing concerns from personal grievances (which is not always straightforward), providing options for raising concerns outside of line management and ensuring access to independent advice. Training staff to identify and deal properly with whistleblowing reports is also essential. Adopting these measures not only supports compliance but also fosters a safe corporate culture and more importantly, may enable you to put a stop to acts that risk you breaking the law or risking the health and safety of your staff or customers.
Whistleblowing complaints
If faced with a whistleblowing complaint, it is important that it is dealt with thoroughly and swiftly, but they’re not always easy to spot. However, the ramifications for not recognising a complaint as blowing the whistle on some form of wrongdoing (or, to use the legal jargon, a qualifying “protected disclosure”) can be extremely costly. Employees can not only bring a tribunal claim for uncapped damages but, in cases of dismissal, for interim relief, which is likely to result in the employer having to continue paying them until their claim is heard. In the current climate of tribunal hearings being delayed for many months, if not years, that can be a hard pill to swallow, especially as the employer will not get that money back even if the claim ultimately fails.
Why choose B P Collins as your whistleblowing solicitors?
B P Collins LLP is experienced in recognising and responding to whistleblowing claims, which are undeniably on the rise due to the generous remedies available to employees who claim they have been treated to their detriment because of raising such complaints. Suddenly, what looked like a simple grievance has turned into something far more serious and, potentially, costly.
With over 50 years of experience in employment law, we’re consistently ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for the strength of our employment practice. Our solicitors have helped hundreds of employers – from small to listed businesses – navigate whistleblowing claims with confidence and clarity.
Price and service transparency
We pride ourselves on achieving the best possible and most cost effective outcomes for our clients, be that through pursuing a strike out of some or all of a claim or defence, or negotiating an appropriate settlement.
View our price and service transparency here.
Contact our whistleblowing solicitors today
If you require legal assistance or advice on whistleblowing, do not hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team of employment lawyers, who are based in London, Ickenham, Thame and Gerrards Cross by emailing enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995.
