Legislation to safeguard the rights of “whistleblowers” who highlight safety risks and other workplace lapses is being strengthened this month. If you thought your company, boss or colleague were condoning or contributing to unsafe working practices, would you report it? And what if they were fiddling expenses or timesheets?
I work for a company that states that nothing is more important than safety so I would have no qualms about addressing a safety issue in house and I have confidence that it would be addressed. If someone was trying to fiddle expenses I would address the issue with the individual before considering other actions.
Andrew Peal, Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks
It’s unlikely in my line of work (consultancy) that I would encounter unsafe working practices, but my conscience would necessitate honesty if I were to see something happen that could endanger life. Fiddling expenses or timesheets is not nice either, but I would leave that to the individual’s conscience (unless it was up to me to approve them, in which case I would ask probing questions!)
Neil Dinmore, Derby
Many companies are now cutting costs, but the integrity and safety of any product should not be compromised. Companies need responsible individuals who lead by example and are paid for the actual work they do and not bleed company's finances by submitting false expense claims. I applaud anyone no matter what level to highlight any deficiencies like these in the workplace.
Neil G Chattle, Cairo, Egypt
I personally would report any concerns, through the normal site procedures. Repeated issues would lead me to escalate the concerns.
If the site procedures repeatedly failed to solve the problem, I would escalate to the site VP.
If I ever worked anywhere where the problem still persisted, I would contact the CEO of the company.
The final recourse is to the HSE, which I would have no hesitation in contacting if all of the above failed.
Phil Bennett, Newport, Gwent
Safety can only be improved through everyone's vigilance, besides it might be you that ends up hurt or worse. Any company that doesn't encourage this is foolish. If I ever see one of my colleagues claiming expenses for a duck house or moat cleaning I will certainly raise it.
John Ovenden, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire
A lot of safety/expenses concerns or other related issues should be able to be handled in-house through normal resolution and I know that there are many avenues I could explore within my company to escalate such issues, however knowing that the rights of ‘whistleblowers’ has been enhanced would be reassuring, but will this be the case in action?
Nick Aitken, Glasgow
I would definitely report unsafe working practices and if it was being condoned I would report it to a higher level, if necessary to the HSE.
However, the definition of 'unsafe' may not be so black and white, risks should be reduced to 'as low as reasonably practical' which may be open to interpretation.
Fiddling expenses or timesheets is clearly unacceptable and I would report it if I became aware of it. Again the system must make clear what is permitted so that there is no ambiguity.
Nick Horder, Dunfermline, Fife
I would definitely blow the whistle on corporate practices which were harming the environment, or the safety of the public, assuming that conventional reporting methods within the company structure had been tried unsuccessfully. Unsafe practices that could affect the workforce should also be reported, but again, only after every other avenue has been tried, and found wanting.
Peter Kerr, Cockermouth, Cumbria
I would certainly use internal processes first and ultimately look externally if I felt there was justification.
The doubt is always the ‘shoot the messenger’ mentality that could exist within an organisation.
I have been on standby for a court case in past times regarding employer fraud (fortunately for me a plea agreement was arranged)
Alison Owen, Monk Fryston, Leeds
I would most certainly not condone any such behaviour. As professional engineers we all sign up to the IMechE code of conduct which requires us to ensure that we promote safe working practices, and further more the regulations are already sufficiently strict and clear that to do otherwise would risks legal action.
With regard to financial “fiddling” the corporate governance requirements placed on Industry are already rigorous and the level of self audit and good practice in place in most companies would avoid the opportunity for whistleblowing. However it is still possible for cases to slip through the net, in which decisive and swift action is required. If anyone knows of any fiddling and says nothing, then they are as guilty as those directly involved.
Paul Charman, Rainham, Gillingham
“Whisleblowing” is a high risk, but in extreme cases, essential safety mechanism. People with the strength of their convictions obviously need safeguarding themselves, so in principle this legislation looks to be of merit.
Nick Lyons, Thorpe-on-the-hill, Lincoln
I work in the rail industry which already operates a confidential reporting service for safety concerns (CIRAS). So not only would I feel duty bound to report significant safety concerns, I have a relatively established way of doing so. As regards improper behaviour by a colleague or superior, I suspect it would depend on the scale, and whether I thought my own position was being compromised, either personally, or because the company was being damaged in a way that threatened my own livelihood.
Phil Hinde, Etchingham, East Sussex
Fortunately, the regimes where I work support and encourage employees to report any types of unsafe or poor practices - irrespective of the standing of the person involved. To be honest, it would be difficult to fiddle expenses or timesheets because our bean-counters are very diligent about the number of beans which make five.
Neil Henderson, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
I would not blow the whistle if I only thought someone had done something illegal. Wrong whistleblowing can be extremely damaging. The law should also offer better protection to victims of malicious accusations.
Duc Pham, Cardiff, South Glamorgan
I have worked as a mechanical designer in the construction industry for about 22 years. I haven't seen any cases or intentional unsafe working but I have seen many cases of corruption. Ironically the worst companies have been quantity surveying companies which one would expect to have the highest levels of honesty. About 10 years ago the construction director of a major UK supermarket chain had built an entire motor racing team sponsored by contractors he employed. Everyone below him knew what he was doing but the directors above him only found out when a TV programme was shown about his team. He was dismissed the next day. Someone should have informed on him. When I last heard he was working on the 2012 Olympic Games construction programme. Sort it out Boris! How's that for a bit of real life whistle blowing.
Paul Thurgood, Wallington, Surrey
Absolutely. Trust and integrity are essential for any effective organisation.
Neil Osbourne, Macclesfield, Cheshire
In both cases I would speak to the person directly & only take it further if this didn't resolve the issue. Things are often not clear cut; there is a real danger that someone will be dismissed because there face doesn't fit!
Peter Broad, Cockermouth, Cumbria
It is good to protect whistleblowers further regarding safety issues but nothing else. I would state directly what is wrong then use the protection system if nothing happened. It should not be used for timesheet, expenses fiddling etc.
Phillip Haran, Northwich, Cheshire
I would firstly take it up with the individual to try and modify their behaviour. Then and only then would I consider ‘whistleblowing’ but the behaviour would have to be illegal.
Clive Newell, Belfast, County Antrim
If someone is doing something unsafe or dishonest then you have a professional responsibility to address it. Personally I would go to them first and give them the chance to stop. Warn them that if they continue then you will have no choice but to ‘blow the whistle on them’.
Paul Burdon, Chester-le-Street
I complained about persistent dangerous driving by colleagues. The response was very hostile and aggressive. The dangerous driving continued with demonstrations of defiance. When you have a mortgage to pay you need protection. I paid off my mortgage ASAP and left the company.
Max Oakes, Turriff, Aberdeenshire
No matter what the legislation this will always be a difficult position to be in – fiddling expenses is one thing but when it comes to safety, it’s down to an individual’s conscience and, knowing that they could have made a difference, whether they feel comfortable living with the potential consequences.
Paul Osborne, Poole, Dorset
I would do all I could to change safety procedures and support anyone’s refusal to follow unsafe practices – I hope. Regarding financial irregularities, I’d make sure I was squeaky clean. Before whistleblowing, I would make very sure I was out of the organisation with pension rights totally secure first!’
Paul Russenberger, London
Unfortunately I am unable to comment as my company's Legal & Ethical policy (which we have to sign up to) forbids us talking to the press without going through the company press office. (But yes, I would report any unsafe or illegal activity, firstly to the relevant managers, and then upwards)
Paul, Birmingham
As an engineer it is part of my professional duty to be mindful of others and my own safe working practices. I would ‘report it’ and immediately. It would be directed to the individual it concerns even if it is the boss. If there is no improvement then I would… Fiddling expenses/timesheets are another issue all together!
Paul DR Gaskell, Prescot, Merseyside
If you walk past an unsafe act, you are condoning it. You have a moral duty to stop it and discuss it; that of course is much easier said than done. I always think the approach of ‘I’m interested in your safety, are you interested in mine?’ is a good way to start a conversation. You’ll quickly know then whether or not to go elsewhere to stop the unsafe practice.
Peter Airey, Crieff
Of course you report it, but through the appropriate internal channels first. Frankly, if you felt the need to report externally, wouldn’t you also be questioning your reasons for working in an organization that allowed such practices to continue.
Peter Carr, Caerphilly, Glamorgan
There's a tension between 'doing the right thing', and trust amongst colleagues. It's right that the workplace should be safe, but who wants to work in an office full of snitches? Whether it's safety or expenses, I would speak to the individual first before considering blowing any whistles.
Mark Wassell, Burbage, Leicestershire
Being responsible for teams delivering projects, through a process of escalation, I would make line managers and appropriate employees aware if unsafe practices were occurring or systems being fiddled, right to the top if necessary. But if the company was condoning unsafe working or financial fiddling, then that is a different mater and probably time to find a new job.
Neil Parsons, Carleton Rode, Norfolk