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The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 was enacted to shield individuals who report suspected misconduct or illegal activities within an organisation. This act of reporting is termed as making a disclosure in the public interest or more colloquially, whistleblowing.
To be protected by the legislation, a worker must raise concerns under specific circumstances, such as:
Interestingly, disclosures about actions abroad violating foreign laws can be protected in the UK, if reported in good faith.
A whistleblower is expected to act in good faith, genuinely believing in the accuracy of the information shared, and reporting to the right authority. However, disclosures made while committing an offence or sharing information protected by legal professional privilege might not receive protection.
As of 25th June 2013, the rules state:
An employer cannot dismiss an employee merely for whistleblowing, as long as it adheres to the guidelines. If terminated on such grounds, an employee can contest it as unfair dismissal. Though non-employee workers cannot claim unfair dismissal, the Act still offers them protection against detrimental treatment.
