The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and its incorporation into the Employment Rights Act 1996 provides important protections for whistleblowers against detriment or dismissal. If the disclosure is in the public interest and meets the requirements, the employee is protected by law, and is able to claim unlimited compensation in an employment tribunal if they are dismissed.
The major challenges whistleblowing clients face usually come only after they have tried to do the right thing by raising serious concerns to their employer. Whistleblowers often have a regulatory duty to raise concerns but then find themselves subjected to retaliation for doing so. They often end up losing their career, and then the only path to justice is via the employment tribunal system.
Pressure on the system means large cases may take up to three years to conclude. During this time, the client may be unable to earn an income. Some end up losing their homes, having to move their children out of their schools, and suffering from associated
