Press statement – Kings Speech: whistleblowing, employment rights and a duty of candour

“We welcome the introduction of a new Employment Rights bill announced in today’s King’s Speech. This is an opportunity for the government to fulfil its commitment to improve whistleblowers’ rights. Too many people in today’s workplace don’t have any protection if they speak up to stop harm.

Whistleblowing legal protection needs a major overhaul, to ensure all concerns that are raised are investigated and dealt with.

Whether it’s the Post Office, the Countess of Chester Hospital or the Infected Blood Scandal it is clear the current whistleblowing system needs fixing urgently. Whistleblowers are being ignored and their concerns are not being heeded.

We need a law that requires employers to investigate when staff raise whistleblowing concerns, extends protection to everyone in the workplace and makes it easier for whistleblowers to succeed at the employment tribunal.

Additionally, we welcome the announcement to introduce a “duty of candour” for public servants. We hope the proposed “Hillsborough Law” will address the issues of trust and accountability within the public sector but speaking truth to power needs to come with proper protections for those who may be harmed for doing so.”