The Sir Robert Francis Whistleblowing report shouls appear next week

You should be able to download the full report and/or an executive summary (both as PDF) from this link:

http://freedomtospeakup.org.uk/the-report/

Thank you for adding this Mike - very relevant and helpful.

Hi Jan,

There was a piece in the Daily Telegraph where NHS staff who 'had been bullied after raising concerns' felt the recommendations were not strong enough.

Personally - library internet connectivity issues mean I have not read the report yet - I think a lot depends on these 'Guardians' I've heard mention of in the media. If staff can take a concern to a Guardian, and the Guardian can then investigate/pursue the issue without identifying the person who originally raised the concern (where the issue isn't 'against a person'), I think staff might feel more confident: but otherwise, I suspect that some staff will still be concerned about 'management retribution' [where staff feel their managers are not great].

But I hope this situation improves - Nursing Times has lots of stories of 'raising concerns and then being ignored or bullied' (although you can't tell how many different people are posting those comments - NT allows 'anonymous' posting, so 10 comments could be from 10 different people, or from a single person).

I am just in the process of reading the report.

Sir Robert has done a comprehensive job of describing the problem, and he isn't 'glossing over the problems'. For example, this section to my mind 'plainly points out that the current legislation does not genuinely protect whistleblowers':

2.2.9 These provisions are often portrayed
as 'protections' for whistleblowers, perhaps
understandably so, given that the legislation is
couched in terms of making 'protected' disclosures.
However this is not an accurate description.
The legislation does not provide an individual
worker with guaranteed protection from suffering
detriment if they make a protected disclosure, and
contains no measure capable of preventing such
detriments occurring. Instead it confers on workers
a right not to be subjected to such detriment and
gives them a route to obtain remedies if that right
is violated. It must be said, however, that those
remedies are relatively restricted. Furthermore,
since the introduction in July 2013 of fees for
bringing ET claims, there has been a significant
reduction in the number of cases brought34. It looks
like the cost has, perhaps not unexpectedly, acted
as a deterrent to making such claims.

ame

dear sir
i am working for a care company and i am a dignity champion. i have been working for this company for 5 months. i have . reported 1 case of abuse. the carer i reported was allowed to carry on working in the same house as myself. he has clearly been makeing life hard for me. i have been bringing up isues with my managar who has been victimising me. and treating me with deprement what can i do please
regards g a carter

Can anyone help Graham at a practical level - any suggestions from people who have been in the same situation ?

I have complained to the PHSO as a layman - not something I can wholeheartedly recommend - but I've never been involved as an employee. As an 'outsider' I see all of the same problems for employees that Sir Robert describes in his report, but seeing isn't the same as experiencing - does anyone have any 'advice' for Graham ?

Graham the first step I would recommend is to join unison. They have been a fantastic support to me following my own experience of whistleblowing. You need to protect yourself against accusations as well as protecting those vulnerable people you care for. Keep a detailed report dates , times log them all personally in a diary or some other format. Include incidents and things you have reported and to who. Also feel free to contact me personally for further advice, [log in to view email address]
Rochelle

hi rochelle
i thank you very much for your sound advise. i have done so i also
email the management regularly when thing accrue. i have been at the
company for 5 months. and their is a 3 month induction period but my
induction is being held up by my manager because some of the issues i
have raised she sees it that i am in conflict with some of her
Draconian methods.she does not think i have the rigth to speak for the
guys
kindest regards g a carter