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What to do if there’s a breach of whistleblower confidentiality

A breach of confidentiality can put enormous pressure on a whistleblower and have a significant impact on levels of trust in an employer’s whistleblowing systems. There are simple steps to ensure the impact of a breach can be contained and whistleblowers protected. In this blog we lay out 5 top tips for any employer to follow.

Improving whistleblowing in the civil service 

With more than half a million staff working in the civil service its vital to public accountability that Government departments are getting whistleblowing right – especially as they’re funded through the public purse. Following a critical report senior officials from the Cabinet Office, HMRC and DWP have reported back on how they’re improving their whistleblowing arrangments across the civil service.

Who regulates the regulator? Blowing the whistle when you work for a regulator. 

If a whistleblower can’t disclose their concerns directly to an employer, or they have been ignored, or are not satisfied with their response, then they can escalate concerns to a relevant regulator to investigate. But, if your employer is a regulator, who do you raise concerns to?   

Government is asking the wrong questions when it comes to whistleblowing in the civil service

The National Audit Office, the independent public spending watchdog, reports that progress to improve whistleblowing in the civil service is slow and inconsistent.  Much has already been written about how difficult it is for civil servants to raise concerns outside of their department but this new look at what is happening inside government is disappointing.