Speaking up and whistleblower protection

Controls catch some fraud. People catch more. Tip-offs from staff are consistently one of the most important ways fraud comes to light, which makes a workplace where people feel safe to speak up a core anti-fraud control in its own right.

Raising a concern internally

If something feels wrong, say so through a proper route. Depending on your organisation, that might be your line manager, a finance or compliance lead, an internal audit function, or a confidential whistleblowing channel. Check your organisation's whistleblowing or speak-up policy so you know the route before you ever need it.

You do not need proof to raise a concern, and you should not try to gather proof yourself. A reasonable, honestly held suspicion is enough. It is the organisation's job to investigate, and amateur investigation usually does more harm than good, as the next lesson explains.

Legal protection for whistleblowers

UK law protects whistleblowers. Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which sits within the Employment Rights Act 1996, a worker who makes a protected disclosure, meaning they reasonably believe they are disclosing wrongdoing such as a criminal offence and that the disclosure is in the public interest, is protected from dismissal and from being subjected to any detriment for having spoken up. Dismissal for making a protected disclosure is automatically unfair.

Protection usually starts with disclosure to your employer, which is one reason internal routes matter. Disclosures to certain external bodies, known as prescribed persons, such as regulators, are also protected in defined circumstances.

What a good speak-up culture looks like

• Concerns can be raised confidentially, and anonymously where necessary
• Every concern gets a response, even when the answer is that nothing was wrong
• Nobody suffers for raising an honest concern that turns out to be mistaken
• Retaliation against someone who spoke up is treated as serious misconduct in itself

If you manage people, how you react the first time someone brings you an awkward concern will decide whether you ever hear the second one. Thank them, take it seriously, and follow the process.