Whistleblowing Policy Template

This Whistleblowing Policy template helps employers set out a clear internal procedure for employees who need to report serious workplace concerns. It explains when an employee may make a Protected Disclosure, what types of wrongdoing can be reported, and how concerns should be raised within the organisation.

The policy is suitable for UK employers who want to encourage openness, accountability, and lawful reporting while maintaining appropriate confidentiality obligations. It is designed to be adapted with your company details, reporting contacts, approval information, and any organisation-specific whistleblowing arrangements.

Under UK whistleblowing law, a worker may be protected when they reasonably believe that the information they disclose shows wrongdoing and that the disclosure is in the public interest. Whistleblowing protection is expanded to employees who make disclosures in bad faith but, in those circumstances, a tribunal has the ability to reduce compensation by up to 25%. Where employees wish to report concerns, complaints or problems in relation to their work rather than public interest wrongdoing please refer to the procedures and templates at Employee Grievance Management Templates.

A clear whistleblowing procedure helps employees raise concerns internally before issues escalate. It also shows that the employer takes reports of wrongdoing seriously and has a defined process for dealing with protected disclosures.

Acas guidance states that whistleblowers are protected from unfair dismissal and detriment where the legal requirements are met. Detriment can include being treated worse than before or having their situation made worse because they made a disclosure.

Examples of protected disclosure include:

• criminal offences, 
• breach of legal obligations, 
• miscarriages of justice, 
• risks to health and safety, 
• environmental damage, 
• deliberate concealment, and 
• bribery or corruption concerns

The Whistleblowing Policy refers to the terms and conditions of employment concerning confidentiality, but confirms that the law allows employees to make a ‘Protected Disclosure’ of certain information and that employees will not suffer detriment for raising concerns in accordance with the policy.

What the Whistleblowing Policy Covers

This template includes provisions covering:

• employee confidentiality obligations and the exception for protected disclosures;
• the meaning of a protected disclosure;
• the requirement for the disclosure to be made in the public interest;
• reportable wrongdoing, including criminal offences, legal breaches, health and safety risks, environmental damage, and concealment;
• optional bribery and corruption reporting clauses;
• internal reporting routes and escalation options;
• confirmation that employees should not suffer detriment for using the procedure;
• approval and authorisation fields for the employer

Additionally, this Whistleblowing Policy aids companies to encourage an anti-bribery culture within the company as required by the Bribery Act 2010 which should be supported by the Anti-Bribery Policy.

Why This Policy Is Important

A clear whistleblowing procedure helps employees raise concerns internally before issues escalate. It also shows that the employer takes reports of wrongdoing seriously and has a defined process for dealing with protected disclosures.

Whistleblowing Policy Template is part of Employment. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Employment for 1 year.