June Newsletter

Dear ,

This month 

• New Protect research on whistleblowing through the generations 
• Balancing rewards for whistleblowers with the impact of victimisation 
• A day in the sun for the London Legal Walk 

As we mark World Whistleblowers Day today 23 June, we are releasing new research, supported by Lloyds Banking Group, which explores generational attitudes to whistleblowing. Do the different generations prioritise issues in the same way? Are younger workers, often more attuned to discrimination and harassment concerns, more likely to blow the whistle on behaviour?  And do they use the same reporting mechanisms?   

The research explores the barriers to whistleblowing and how these differ for each generation. We also looked at the ways the different generations raise issues, testing in particular their willingness to post on social media about issues in their workplace.  

Do have a look. For whistleblowing arrangements to be effective and staff to feel empowered to speak up, it is important for organisations to understand what their staff find more challenging and why.  

We’re holding an event tomorrow Tuesday 24 June – kindly hosted by Lloyds Banking Group – to launch the new research examining these issues and providing a path to best practice. You can still register to join online here. 

Sybille Raphael 

Protect Legal Director and Acting Chief Executive 

Balancing the victimisation of whistleblowers with the promise of rewards 

With both the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC pushing for formalised whistleblower rewards schemes, what do these powerful agencies have in place to protect from unfair retaliation the whistleblowers who they plan to incentivise to come forward,? 

To mark World Whistleblowers Day we have contributed to a special issue of Financial Regulation International on anti-corruption regulation and whistleblowing in financial services. 

Our article looks across the pond to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which routinely takes an active role in protecting whistleblowers through issuing significant fines to companies that victimise whistleblowers and occasionally advocating for whistleblowers in court cases. 

Regulators recognising the value of whistleblowers 

As we mark World Whistleblowers Day 2025 we are heartened to see UK regulators, from the Charity Commission to the National Audit Office and the Bank of England, posting their support for whistleblowing online. As part of a co-ordinated campaign, we have eached out to regulators big and small and asked them to share a message on social media to signal their support for the power of whistleblowing. It may be just one day a year but backing of this kind sends a clear message to whistleblowers that their actions are valued. Thank you to The Health and Care Professions Council, among many others, for taking this action today: 

Upcoming training! 

• Up next on the 11th Sept is 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.

• We will be hosting our Investigating a Whistleblowing Concern Training on the 18th September, another one of our CPD accredited core courses, which is perfect for those responsible for handling whistleblowing concerns. You’ll learn the do’s and don’ts of speaking to whistleblowers and dealing with their concerns effectively.

• On the 25th September we are running our Preventing Victimisation masterclass. Wrongdoing will continue if staff feel unsafe to report concerns to their managers, so equip yourself with the best practises to support your staff speaking up.

Planning ahead - dates for the diary

Our Members' Events offer excellent opportunities to connect and network with like-minded individuals who are overseeing whistleblowing systems in their organisation. Our Member Forums are a great platform for sharing best practice and engaging with peers who may have encountered similar challenges with their organisation’s whistleblowing/speak up setup. They facilitate regular interaction and allow Protect to share valuable insights, horizon-scanning, and legal updates throughout the year. Our Investigators’ Drop-in Support Sessions are another safe space for members to connect and share some of the aspects they encounter as an Investigator.

To find out more about our Membership programme, and to register for the upcoming events - please do reach out to a member of the team:
info@protect-advice.org.uk 

Members' Forum Coming up:
- 23 September – Members’ Forum – 0930-1030

Our next Investigator’s Drop-in date is:
- 04 November – Investigator’s Drop-in – 0930-1030  

London Legal Walk 2025

On Tuesday, 17th June, our team laced up their trainers and took on the challenge of walking 10km in positively Mediterranean heat - to raise funds in support of our free Legal Advice Line. It was no easy feat, but together alongside thousands of other walkers we powered through every step of the London Legal Walk with determination and plenty of sun cream! 

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated, cheered us on, or helped spread the word about our walk. Your support means the world to us - and more importantly, it helps us continue to stand up for those who speak out. 

If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, there’s still time! Every contribution, big or small, helps us protect and empower whistleblowers:

• Sent this by a friend? - Subscribe to our newsletter for more.
• An employer needing help with whistleblowing? - Find out more about our membership programme. 
• Have a whistleblowing story to share? - Drop us an Email.