May Newsletter

Dear ,

In this month’s edition;

• Lords support stronger whistleblower protections 
• 60 years of Employment Tribunals 

• What does Gen Z really think of whistleblowing? 

The government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill continues its way through Parliament and we have been working hard to influence and input whistleblowing amendments to strengthen legal protections for workers and to bring more employers up to the standards of the best. Our amendments would introduce: 

• a requirement on employers to take “reasonable steps” to investigate whistleblowing concerns that are brought to them; 
• an expansion of whistleblowing protections to self-employed people, job applicants, trade union negotiators and all those in the workforce who currently do not fit under the current narrow definition of “worker”; 

• a change to the test for automatic unfair dismissal, making whistleblowing “one of the reasons” for dismissal rather than the existing principal cause. 

This month our proposals – backed by former Labour Minister Lord Wills - were presented and debated in the Lords, receiving cross-party support with the former Liberal Democrat Minister Baroness Susan Kramer, Green Peer Jenny Jones, former Conservative Cabinet Minister Nicky Morgan and crossbench Peer Lord Cromwell speaking in support of them. 

Do read our latest blog for a full account of the recent Lords debates. While the Minister did not accept the amendments at Committee, we hope that the issue will come back at Report. It isn’t clear yet when the Bill will be passed, but with so many amendments to scrutinise the House of Lords is likely to take longer than planned to consider the Bill. 

June always a holds a key date for us with World Whistleblower’s Day on the 23rd. This year we’ll be sharing some exciting research looking at generational attitudes to whistleblowing in the workplace. From Gen Z to Baby Boomers we’re interested in how colleagues at different and ages and stages of their careers view Speaking Up. We’re holding an event on Tuesday 24th – kindly supported by Lloyd’s Banking Group – more on this below…. 

Next month, you’ll be receiving our newsletter from Sybille Raphael, who will be Acting Chief Executive while I take a 6-week sabbatical break – a perk of working for a great organisation! 

Elizabeth Gardiner, Chief Executive 

Employment Tribunals turn 60

The 31st May marks sixty years of Employment Tribunals – colloquially known in the legal world as ETs. Previously called Industrial Tribunals, the ET is the final destination for whistleblowing cases – often a tortuous process that pits an individual whistleblower against the might of their employer’s legal team. Recent reports have shown that the UK employment tribunal backlog has hit record levels, with lawyers warning the number is likely to rise further as businesses absorb the impact of new worker rights’ legislation. Not good news for whistleblowers, as our latest blog explores… 

A moment of justice for whistleblower Jonathan Taylor

The energy company - SBM Offshore - was forced to publish a statement on its website this month after losing a court case in the Netherlands. The ruling found the company unlawfully said that Jonathan Taylor — who blew the whistle on corrupt activities at the company — was a “blackmailer” and had attempted extortion. This is a huge achievement for Jonathan (now a member of Protect’s Advisory Council), who has been fighting to clear his name for more than a decade. The judge also ordered SBM Offshore to pay compensation (the amount has not been determined) for the damage Jonathan suffered as a result of SBM’s descriptions of him in these publications. 
 
It shouldn't take independent whistleblowers to take on these legal battles alone. Change is needed to ensure there is more support for people blowing the whistle and companies are held to account for taking such acts against individuals.

World Whistleblowers' Day

It’s almost time to celebrate our favourite day of the year: World Whistleblowers Day! In recognition of this important day, we're partnering with Lloyds Banking Group to examine generational attitudes towards whistleblowing and the implications for the modern workplace. Does Gen Z view whistleblowing differently to Millennials, Generation X or Baby Boomers? Have people’s attitudes changed from when they first started work? 

We'll be sharing our findings at a breakfast briefing event on June 24th. To register to attend online please click here.

Reserve your spot now to be part of this important conversation. 

Upcoming training! 

• Our fundamental training is the Whistleblowing Essentials session. Immersing you in practical exercises and case studies, you’ll gain the hands-on experience necessary to implement best practices from day one.. Sign up for the 12th June.  

• Following this, another one of our core training sessions that has been CPD accredited, is Investigating a Whistleblowing Concern. If you're responsible for setting up or overseeing whistleblowing arrangements - whether you are part of the Internal Audits team, whistleblowing, ethics/speak-up team, HR, Legal function, or hold a Speak Up/Guardian role - then our Masterclass will equip you with the knowledge and expertise you need. 

London Legal Walk 2025

On Tuesday 17th June our team is walking 10km in the 2025 London Legal Walk. This is an important fundraising event for us and we're asking for donations.

Whistleblowers are vital to protecting the public interest but too often they face serious risks for speaking up. Your support helps: 

• Provide free legal advice to more than 3,000 whistleblowers a year. 
• Improve speak-up practices in UK workplaces. 

• Influence policy and legal reform to strengthen whistleblower protection.

It was great to see Mr Bates vs The Post Office win Best Limited Drama and the Special Award at the 2025 BAFTAs this month.  
 
Accepting the prize producer Patrick Spence said: "This story only had the impact it did because the people that watched it stood up and demanded action with rage" and that the response to the show proved that the public "cannot abide liars and bullies". 
 
The series has been instrumental in accelerating the compensation and justice that sub-postmasters were desperately lacking - and exposing the truth, brought to light by persistent whistleblowers.  
 
Our research report - The Cost of Whistleblowing Failures - delves deep into the Post Office scandal, exposing the cost to the taxpayer of the corruption:

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• Have a whistleblowing story to share? - Drop us an Email.