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5.10 Whistleblowing
Although not covered by the Ethical Standards Framework, Board members should have regard to issues relating to whistleblowing.
Board members have a responsibility to ensure that staff have confidence in the fairness and impartiality of procedures for registering and dealing with their concerns and interests. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 gives legal protection to employees who may raise certain matters or concerns, known as 'qualifying disclosures', without fear of reprisal. It is designed to ensure that individuals who raise concerns at work, generally known as 'whistleblowers', are protected from adverse reaction from their employing organisation.
All public bodies should have a whistleblowing policy and procedure in place which will allow staff to raise concerns on a range of issues such as fraud, health and safety etc. without having to go through the normal management structure. The whistleblowing procedure should set out clearly who staff should approach with their concern(s) - normally a senior executive - and how it will be investigated. Unless an allegation is made which is malicious and/or without foundation, every effort should be made to ensure that the whistleblower remains anonymous.
As a Board member, you should ensure that your organisation has a whistleblowing policy and procedure in place.
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