Am I protected if I report wrongdoing?
If you report something in good faith, you're protected from dismissal, demotion, harassment, or any other unfair treatment, regardless of whether your allegation is actually true. This protection covers reporting to your employer internally or to external bodies like regulators, the police, or a solicitor.
PIDA protection is very strong: even if you have less than 2 years' service, you cannot be fairly dismissed for whistleblowing.
What wrongdoing is protected?
- Illegal conduct (fraud, theft, money laundering, bribery)
- Breaches of regulation (financial rules, employment law, health standards)
- Health and safety violations or dangers
- Environmental damage
- Miscarriage of justice
- Cover-ups of any of the above
- Discrimination or harassment that's illegal
How to report safely
Internal first: Tell your manager or HR if it's safe to do so. Put it in writing and keep a copy. Internal reporting is usually the first step.
External options: You can report to a regulator (Health and Safety Executive, Financial Conduct Authority, Information Commissioner's Office), the police, or a solicitor in confidence. You remain protected.
In good faith: You're protected as long as you genuinely believed the disclosure was true and in the public interest. You don't need proof—you just need to have believed it.
Legal advice: You can consult a solicitor confidentially without losing protection. A solicitor cannot disclose your identity without your consent.
What protection covers
- Cannot be dismissed (unfair dismissal claim with no time limit once ACAS conciliation starts)
- Cannot be demoted, suspended, or transferred to worse work
- Cannot be harassed, bullied, or excluded
- Cannot be denied promotion, training, or opportunities
- Cannot be subjected to any "detriment" for reporting
What to do if you're treated badly for whistleblowing
Document everything. Record what you reported, when, to whom, and what happened afterwards. Keep emails and evidence of the negative treatment.
Contact ACAS. Call 0300 123 1100 for free advice. You can start early conciliation with your employer.
Time limit: You have 3 months minus 1 day to start ACAS conciliation, but whistleblowing claims have no time limit after ACAS conciliation begins.
Consider support: Contact Protect (www.protect-advice.org.uk) for free, confidential whistleblowing advice and support.