Supporting whistleblowers: What is whistleblowing?

Author: David Lewis, head of the whistleblowing research unit at Middlesex University and convenor of the International Whistleblowing Research Network.

Overview

This series of Leading practice guides explains best practices for encouraging and protecting whistleblowers. In this guide, we explore the law that protects workers who make a qualifying disclosure. Other guides in the series:

• Supporting whistleblowers: Creating a reporting culture
• Supporting whistleblowers: Introducing and managing a whistleblowing policy
• Supporting whistleblowers: Encouraging and facilitating whistleblowing reports
• Supporting whistleblowers: Investigating whistleblowing concerns
• Supporting whistleblowers: Raising awareness about whistleblowing
• Supporting whistleblowers: Monitoring and reviewing whistleblowing arrangements

This series of guides build on the principles in the International Standard for whistleblowing management systems 2021 (ISO 37002), which will be referred to as the "ISO standard". It also uses research conducted in the UK, together with experience in other countries, to identify good practice. Like the ISO standard, the guide advocates that whistleblowing systems should be based on the principles of trust, impartiality and protection.