Trends In UK whistleblower claims

The UK has had the benefit of strong, well-designed whistleblower protection since 1999, and published statistics provide evidence of how this system is functioning.

The following graphs show trends in UK whistleblowers' claims of reprisal submitted under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) during the first ten years of operation of the legislation, and how these claims were dealt with.

Claims of reprisal submitted to an employment tribunal

This shows the number of claims of reprisal submitted by UK whistleblowers. These are dealt with by employment tribunals.

Claims settled through an arbitration process (ACAS)

This shows the number of claims that were settled through a mediated arbitration process operated by ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) without going to a hearing.

Claims settled privately or withdrawn

This shows the number of cases that were settled privately or withdrawn before going to a hearing.

Claims that were successful at a hearing

This shows the number of cases that went to a hearing and the whistleblower won.

These graphs are derived from data found on the website of Public Concern At Work.

For more information about the UK's experience during its first 10 years of whistleblower protection, see the PCAW report Where's Whistleblowing Now?