The Government has announced its intention to amend the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill to protect whistle blowers from bullying or harassment by co-workers. The Government has also produced an updated policy paper setting out why it is taking the measures contained in the Bill and what each measure aims to achieve.
Kate Fretten, Employment Partner, says “Currently, the law only protects whistle blowers from harassment or bullying by their employer.” The Government states that it will:
- introduce a provision having the effect that detrimental acts of one co-worker towards another who has blown the whistle will be treated as being done by the employer, therefore making the employer responsible; and
- provide a defence for an employer who is able to show that it took all reasonable steps to prevent the detrimental treatment of a co-worker towards another who blew the whistle.
- The Government has already moved amendments to the Bill to remove the ‘good faith’ requirement from whistle blowing protection, replacing it with a power for tribunals to reduce compensation where protected disclosures are not made in good faith.
For a free initial meeting please call 01202 499255 and Kate or Paul will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.
Comments