Introduction

Whistleblowing is when someone suspects there is ‘wrongdoing’ in the council that is affecting or will affect others, and they report it. This is officially known as ‘Making a disclosure in the public interest’.

It could be something that is believed to be:

• illegal
• immoral
• illicit
• unsafe
• fraudulent.

Often employees are the first to realise something is not right, long before managers find out about it. But may hold back on telling someone because they:

• feel that speaking up would be disloyal to another colleague or the council
• fear harassment or victimisation.

We are committed to creating a safe, open and transparent workplace culture, where employees are encouraged to raise concerns at the earliest opportunity. This is in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 that provides statutory protection to employees who make a disclosure.

Whistleblowing policy

The whistleblowing policy aims to:

• encourage you to feel confident in raising concerns
• provide avenues for you to raise concerns in confidence (and if necessary anonymously) and receive feedback on any action taken
• allow you to take the matter further if you are dissatisfied with the council’s response
• reassure you that you will be protected from reprisals or victimisation for whistleblowing and appropriate action will be taken should this occur.

Download the policy

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