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The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provides a framework for whistleblowing across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

The Act enables employees to make a Protected Disclosure to disclose information, confidential or otherwise, internally, to regulators or to a wider audience.

 A Protected Disclosure is the disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of the worker, tends to show one of the following has occurred or is likely to occur:

  • A criminal offence has been committed;
  • A person has failed to comply with a legal obligation;
  • A miscarriage of justice has occurred;
  • Health or safety of an individual endangered;
  • Environment has been damaged;
  • Information about any of these has been concealed.

Whistleblowing, Government information

Raising Concerns at Work

 Whistleblowing Guidance for Workers and Employers in Health and Social Care, Whistleblowing Helpline, 2014 [PDF, 1MB]

For Plymouth City Council staff only

Plymouth City Council’s Whistleblowing Procedure [PDF, 248KB]

For all other staff, refer to your agency’s internal Whistleblowing Procedure.

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