Conference catch-up, Protect's new Environmental Whistleblowing Toolkit, media highlights and more!
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October
It's been a hugely busy month for Protect, starting off with our landmark 30th Anniversary conference - The Future of Whistleblowing. More than 350 people joined us in-person and online to hear from journalists, lawyers, academics, whistleblowers, business leaders and politicians. The day covered a breadth of subjects including the impact whistleblowing has had on the #MeToo movement, the legal reform of whistleblowing protection, and the ongoing efforts to combat ‘SLAPPS’. Rather than looking back we’re using our anniversary as an opportunity to look forward and ways of addressing the biggest issues facing employers, whistleblowers and the legal sector. Check out our website for photos and videos from the day, speaker highlights and reflections from the conference.
The conference also served as the launch of Protect's new Environmental Whistleblowing Toolkit. Talking alongside greenwashing whistleblower Desiree Fixler, Protect’s Legal Officer Caitlín Comins, presented the key findings from our research and outlined the purpose and key sections of the Toolkit. We want this resource to provide whistleblowers sounding the alarm on environmental damage with guidance on how to raise a concern with maximum impact. You can download a free copy now.
Due to scheduling conflicts neither Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, or Justin Madders MP, Shadow Minister for Business, Employment Rights and Levelling Up, were able to make our conference, but they did provide short video addresses ahead of time. You can see them on our YouTube channel. Our whistleblowing conference came at the same time as both the Conservatives and Labour annual conferences. Whistleblowing made the headlines at the Labour Party conference with the announcement that Marina Wheeler KC, employment and human rights lawyer, as Labour’s new whistleblowing tsar for women. Ms Wheeler will be advising the Labour Party on how to make it easier for workers to blow the whistle on bullying, harassment, and discrimination at work – something we’re very much looking forward to learning more about.
Until next month,
Andrew Pepper-Parsons, Director of Policy and Communications.
Our Environmental Whistleblowing Toolkit launched earlier this month. We want to guide those looking to raise environmental concerns, as we realise there isn't much help already out there! With the help from trade unions, lawyers, NGOs and journalists it is an incredibly well informed resource supporting whistleblowers to raise their concerns safely, and with maximum impact.
October Highlights
A survey commissioned by Protect, found fear of reprisals and uncertainty about how to provide proof were the main barriers to reporting on poor and misleading behaviour about the environment.
"Environmental whistleblowing should be on the up as more companies have tangible climate and pollution targets to be measured against." - Climate Earth on the Environmental Whistleblowing Toolkit.
The UK Tech Workers Guide
We are thrilled to have collaborated with The Signals Network and the Whistleblowing International Network on the 'Tech Workers Guide to Whistleblowing'. The guide explains the legal protection available under UK law and offers practical tips on blowing the whistle safely.
The Inside Story episode 4: Protect's Founders
Legal Advisor, Alice Norga, sat down with the founders of Protect, Guy Dehn, Francesca West and Cathy James. If you are curious to know more about the early days of Public Concern at Work, this is will be sure to answer your questions.
No whistleblower should be victimised for raising public interest concerns. That's why Protect has developed this unique guide to help organisations of all sizes to deal with concerns, improve their speak up cultures, plus prevent victimisation to whistleblowers from across all sectors.
Top 5 moments from The Future of Whistleblowing Conference.
Newest addition to the brilliant legal team here at Protect, Georgia, takes us through her top 5 favourite moments from The Future of Whistleblowing conference.
Take your skills and knowledge to the next level in cultivating a robust speak-up culture
Protect's 2024 masterclasses are now open for online bookings. Immerse yourself in practical exercises and real-world whistleblower case studies where the sessions are led by experienced Legal Advisers. The list includes Whistleblowing Essentials, ESG, Financial Services Whistleblowers' Champion, Preventing Whistleblower Victimisation, plus much more.
