Protect, the UK’s whistleblowing charity, has 30 years of experience working with organisations and advising individuals. Our training is delivered by the same team that supports 3,000 whistleblowers annually, enabling us to intimately grasp the challenges whistleblowers face and the repercussions of organisational getting it wrong.

Protect has collaborated with some of the top UK companies to develop best practices, including a Victimisation Guide, written with employers, for employers, to identify best practice in preventing victimisation. This course draws on that knowledge and our comprehensive 360-degree perspective on whistleblowing, setting us apart with an unmatched understanding like no other.

Why is victimisation prevention critical?

Figures from our advice line in 2023 show that nearly 60% of employees who report wrongdoing face victimisation or are dismissed - this rises to 72% when we consider whistleblowers who end up resigning from their jobs - which can be devastating for them and discourage others from speaking up. This erodes trust in the organisation's whistleblowing processes. To combat this, understanding what victimisation entails and how to identify it is crucial.

To address this issue, the law in the UK makes it unlawful to treat whistleblowers badly or dismiss them for their whistleblowing. Additionally, some regulators set additional rules about whistleblowing, such as those for financial services. Organisations should be aware of the consequences of victimisation and have measures in place to prevent it.

Protecting whistleblowers is not just about individual well-being; it's about upholding the organisation's integrity, transparency, and long-term success. Fostering an environment where employees feel safe to speak up cultivates a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement that benefits everyone involved.

What does the Preventing Whistleblower Victimisation Masterclass cover?

During this comprehensive preventing victimisation Masterclass, you will unlock a wealth of knowledge, including:

• An overview of whistleblowing and why it is important including a review of the whistleblowing law in the UK.
• Discussing legal protection for whistleblowers and also individuals’ liability for victimising.
• Understanding of the importance of preventing victimisation from both the legal and cultural aspects.
• Best practice for proactively preventing victimisation.
• Risk assessing victimisation prevention in your own organisation.

Immersing you in practical exercises and case studies, you will gain the hands-on experience necessary to implement best practices from day one.

Who should attend?

If you're responsible for setting up, reviewing or overseeing whistleblowing arrangements or involved in any part of receiving or investigating a concern in your organisation, this masterclass is designed for you. Whether you are part of the Internal Audits team, HR, Legal function, hold a Speak Up or Guardian role, on the senior leadership team or are a line manager then our Masterclass will equip you with the knowledge you need.

Victimisation is not always a conscious thing, and so anyone that may receive a concern should be aware of the consequences of victimisation and how they can prevent it.

Learn from the best in the field

Our masterclasses are led by highly skilled Legal Adviser and member of our expert Advice Team. The Protect team possesses in-depth knowledge of the legal rights whistleblowers have at work, enabling them to guide you through the intricacies of this vital subject matter.

Testimonials

"Content on victimisation was fantastic as this is an area that tends to be less documented and resourced from Speak Up policy and response plans"- Non-Profit attendee

"Concise and helpful"- Health attendee

"It was comprehensive and I really liked the interactive discussions" - Health attendee