Whistleblowing Dismissal Claim Solicitor

Employment Legal Services

Protecting Your Rights After Blowing the Whistle

If you have reported wrongdoing at work and lost your job because of it, you may have a claim for unfair dismissal. UK law protects whistleblowers from unfair treatment and dismissal. Our employment law solicitors can help you understand your rights and seek compensation. For all employment law services visit our Employment Law section.

What Is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is when an employee reports something illegal, dangerous, or unethical happening at work. This could include:

A criminal offence such as fraud, bribery, or tax evasion.
Damage to the environment, like pollution, illegal dumping, or unsafe waste disposal.
A miscarriage of justice, where legal procedures are ignored or manipulated.
A company failing to meet a legal obligation, such as health and safety laws or fair treatment of employees.
Risks to public health and safety, including dangerous work conditions or faulty products.

If you raise concerns about any of these issues, this is known as a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This law is designed to protect employees from retaliation when they speak up about serious misconduct.

Can You Be Dismissed for Whistleblowing?

It is illegal for an employer to dismiss or treat an employee unfairly because they reported wrongdoing. If you have lost your job or suffered unfair treatment after making a disclosure, you may have a whistleblowing case and can make a claim for unfair dismissal.

What Protections Do Whistleblowers Have?

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, whistleblowers are legally protected. This means:

You cannot be fired for making a qualifying disclosure.
You should not face bullying, demotion, or unfair treatment for blowing the whistle.
If you suffer any retaliation, you can take legal action against your employer.

Employers are legally required to have a whistleblowing procedure in place to handle reports of wrongdoing fairly. However, not all employers follow this properly, and some may attempt to silence whistleblowers through threats or dismissal.

How to Make a Whistleblowing Claim

If you have been treated unfairly, follow these steps:

1. Check If Your Disclosure Is Protected

To be legally protected, your disclosure must:

Be in the public interest (not just a personal grievance about your own employment situation).
Be about something illegal, dangerous, or unethical.
Be made to the right person, such as your employer, a regulatory body, or, in some cases, the police or a legal representative.

2. Gather Evidence

To support your claim, keep records of:

Emails or letters where you reported the issue.
Your employer’s response to your disclosure.
Any threats, warnings, or retaliatory actions taken against you.
Changes to your job role, pay, or responsibilities after you made the disclosure.
Witness statements from colleagues who saw what happened.

3. Follow the Whistleblowing Procedure

Your workplace should have a whistleblowing procedure that outlines how concerns should be raised and handled. You should follow this process first, unless there is a serious risk in doing so.

If your employer does not address your concerns or retaliates against you, you may need to take legal action.

4. Make a Legal Claim

If your employer has treated you unfairly, ignored your concerns, or dismissed you after whistleblowing, you can bring a claim to an employment tribunal.

A successful claim could lead to compensation for lost earnings, damages for distress, and possibly reinstatement to your job.

Time Limits for Whistleblowing Claims

There are strict time limits for making a claim:

Unfair dismissal claims must be made within three months of losing your job.
Claims for whistleblowing disclosures leading to unfair treatment must also be made within three months.
In some exceptional cases, extensions may be granted, but it is best to act quickly.

If you miss the deadline, you may lose your chance to claim compensation. Contact our employment law solicitors as soon as possible to discuss your options.

What Compensation Can You Get?

If you win your case, you may be entitled to:

Lost wages, covering the income you missed due to unfair dismissal.
Compensation for emotional distress, covering the anxiety and stress caused by your employer’s actions.
Legal costs, if applicable.
Possible reinstatement to your job (if appropriate and desired).

There is no financial cap on compensation for whistleblowing cases, unlike regular unfair dismissal claims. The amount awarded depends on the severity of the case and its impact on you.

Who Can You Make a Disclosure To?

You should first report your concerns to your employer. If they fail to act or you fear retaliation, you can report to an external regulatory body. Some relevant bodies include:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – for workplace safety issues.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – for financial misconduct and fraud.
Environment Agency – for pollution or environmental violations.
Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – for criminal business practices.

In some cases, you may be protected if you go directly to the media, but this carries more risk. You should seek legal advice before doing so.

Why Choose Our Whistleblowing Solicitors?

At our firm, we understand the risks and stress involved in whistleblowing. Our team provides:

Expert legal advice on your whistleblowing rights.
Strong representation for unfair dismissal claims.
Guidance on dealing with regulatory bodies and tribunals.
Support through every step of your case, from gathering evidence to court representation.

We fight to ensure whistleblowers are protected and compensated for unfair treatment. With years of experience in employment law, we are dedicated to helping employees who have been wronged.

Contact Us Today

If you believe you were treated unfairly or dismissed for whistleblowing, do not wait. Get in touch with our expert employment law solicitors today. We will review your case, explain your options, and help you fight for justice.

Free Initial Consultation

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. Let us help you take the next step in securing your rights and getting the compensation you deserve.

Fill out our online contact form to get started.