Protect's Guide to PIDA 1998 | Protect

PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE ACT 1998

Originally published by Sweet & Maxwell in its series Current Law Statutes, this edition sets out the revised and amended text of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Authoritative notes – originally drawn on background papers and parliamentary debates – have been fully updated and now take account of an extensive review of one hundred legal decisions made under the Act.

Part 1 was updated at January 2007 and can be downloaded as the summary and guide to the Act. It describes the background to the legislation, how it was intended to work and includes guidance on whistleblowing arrangements and practical tips for workers, organisations and their advisers.

Part 2 is the text of the Act with annotations. This was published in Feb 2003 and the case law is accurate at that date.

Sections 17-20 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 have introduced a series of changes to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998:
Section 17 narrows the definition of ‘protected disclosure’ to those that are made in the ‘public interest’.
Section 18 removes the requirement that a worker or employee must make a protected disclosure ‘in good faith’. Instead, tribunals will have the power to reduce compensation by up to 25% for detriment or dismissal relating to a protected disclosure that was not made in good faith.
Section 19 introduces protection for whistleblowers from bullying or harassment by co-workers.
Section 20 enables the Secretary of State to extend the meaning of ‘worker’ for the purpose of defining who comes within the remit of the whistleblowing provisions.