Whistleblowing Solicitors

Whistleblowers are legally protected in the UK, but retaliation from employers is common. It can take many forms, from sudden performance management to redundancy, dismissal or a sustained change in how you are treated at work.

Speaking up about wrongdoing is not without risk. If your employer has responded by treating you unfairly, you may have a significant legal claim

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Whistleblowing Settlement Agreement

If you have been offered a settlement agreement following a whistleblowing dispute, do not sign anything until you have spoken to a specialist. At Settlement Agreement Advice, our whistleblowing solicitors can advise you on your rights, assess the value of your claim and negotiate the best possible outcome.

A whistleblowing settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between you and your employer. You agree to waive your right to bring tribunal claims in exchange for a financial payment. Before you sign, you must receive independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor.

Whistleblowing claims can be among the most valuable in employment law. There is no cap on compensation at tribunal. This means the stakes in any settlement negotiation are high. The importance of getting specialist advice before agreeing to anything cannot be overstated.

Our whistleblowing solicitors at Settlement Agreement Advice regularly advise employees who have been offered settlements following:

  • Dismissal after making a protected disclosure
  • Redundancy selection connected to whistleblowing activity
  • Demotion or removal of responsibilities after raising concerns
  • Exclusion from opportunities, projects or teams after blowing the whistle
  • Sustained pressure to resign following a protected disclosure
  • A settlement offer made shortly after internal concerns were raised

The timing and circumstances of a settlement offer can be as revealing as the offer itself. Our solicitors will assess the full picture before advising you on whether to accept, reject or negotiate.

What Is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of reporting wrongdoing or malpractice in the workplace. It is protected under the Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

To be protected, a disclosure must be a qualifying disclosure made in the public interest. It must relate to one of the following:

  • A criminal offence
  • A breach of a legal obligation
  • A miscarriage of justice
  • A danger to the health or safety of any individual
  • Damage to the environment
  • The deliberate concealment of any of the above

From 6 April 2026, reporting sexual harassment at work is also explicitly a qualifying disclosure.

Do I need to prove the wrongdoing happened?

No. You need to have genuinely and reasonably believed it was happening or likely to happen, and that reporting it was in the public interest. You do not need to be right. You just need to have had reasonable grounds for your concern.

What is a Protected Disclosure?

A protected disclosure is a qualifying disclosure made to the right person or body in the right way. This includes disclosures to your employer, to a legal adviser, to a prescribed regulator such as the FCA or CQC or in certain circumstances to the wider public.

What is Detriment for Whistleblowing?

If your employer subjects you to any disadvantage because you have made a protected disclosure, this is a detriment. You do not need to have been dismissed to bring a claim. Demotion, exclusion, negative reviews and changes to your role can all constitute detriment.

What is Automatically Unfair Dismissal for Whistleblowing?

Dismissal connected to a protected disclosure is automatically unfair under the Employment Rights Act 1996. There is no qualifying period of employment required to bring this type of claim.

What is a Whistleblowing Detriment Claim?

A whistleblowing detriment claim is brought where an employee has suffered a disadvantage short of dismissal as a result of making a protected disclosure. Both types of claim can be pursued together where dismissal has followed a period of detriment.

2026 Legal Updates: What Whistleblowers Should Know

Several important changes have come into force in 2026 that directly affect whistleblowing claims.

Sexual Harassment is Now a Qualifying Disclosure

From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 makes sexual harassment an explicit qualifying disclosure under whistleblowing law. To qualify for this protection, the report must be made in the “public interest.” While an isolated personal grievance might not qualify, reporting a repeat offender, systemic culture issues, or management’s failure to protect staff easily clears this legal hurdle.

If you have spoken up about these issues and faced retaliation, you may now have a powerful whistleblowing claim alongside a standard harassment claim.

Third-Party Harassment

From October 2026, employers will be directly liable where a worker is harassed by a third party and the employer has not taken all reasonable steps to prevent it. If you are experiencing this now, you do not need to wait until October to seek advice. Contact us today for specialist legal advice.

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Why Choose Settlement Agreement Advice for your Whistleblowing Concern?

At Settlement Agreement Advice, we specialise exclusively in employment law and settlement agreements. Every client receives focused, experienced advice rather than a generalist approach.

  • Same-day review and advice available
  • Legal fees usually covered by your employer
  • Experience advising on high-value whistleblowing settlements
  • Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
  • Members of the Employment Lawyers Association
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Speak to a Whistleblowing Solicitor Today

If you have made a protected disclosure and your employer has treated you unfairly as a result, do not sign a settlement agreement until you have taken specialist legal advice.

At Settlement Agreement Advice, our whistleblowing solicitors are available Monday to Friday and can advise you the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my employer find out I contacted a solicitor?

No. Your initial enquiry is completely confidential. We will not contact your employer, and anything you share with us is protected by legal professional privilege. You can speak to us freely and without any obligation.

 

Do I need to have reported the wrongdoing before I can get advice?

No, and in fact, speaking to us before you make any disclosure is often the most important step. The way you report a concern can affect the protection you receive. We can advise you on the best approach before you take any formal action.

What if I am not completely sure I am right about the wrongdoing?

You do not need to be certain about wrongdoing. The law protects you as long as you had a genuine and reasonable belief that wrongdoing was occurring. You do not have to prove it actually happened. If you believed something was wrong and had a reasonable basis for that belief, you may already be protected.

Does whistleblowing protection apply from day one?

Yes. Unlike standard unfair dismissal claims, whistleblowing protection applies regardless of how long you have worked for your employer. You can bring a claim whether you have been in your role for two weeks or twenty years.

Is there a cap on compensation?

No. This is one of the most significant differences between whistleblowing claims and standard unfair dismissal. There is no statutory cap, meaning your full financial loss can be recovered. It also means the value of a whistleblowing settlement can be considerably higher than in other employment claims.

What is the time limit for bringing a whistleblowing claim?

You generally have three months less one day from the date of the unfair treatment or dismissal to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal. However, this strict deadline is usually “paused” or extended while you go through the mandatory ACAS Early Conciliation process. Starting the ACAS process can safely rescue your claim window. Even with this being the case, time limits are still strictly applied and extensions are rarely granted. Please do not delay in seeking advice.

Can I bring a whistleblowing claim alongside other employment claims?

Yes. Whistleblowing claims are frequently brought alongside unfair dismissal, redundancy or discrimination claims. Where multiple claims arise from the same facts, the combined value of your position is often considerably higher.

I reported sexual harassment and things got worse. What can I do?

From 6 April 2026, reporting sexual harassment is explicitly protected under whistleblowing law, provided your disclosure affects others or involves a broader public interest (such as exposing a repeat offender, a toxic workplace culture, or a failure by management to protect the wider workforce). If you reported these concerns and have since been targeted or treated badly, you may have grounds for both a sexual harassment claim and an uncapped whistleblowing claim. Contact us to understand your options.

Can a settlement agreement or NDA stop me from whistleblowing in the future?

No. Under Section 43J of the Employment Rights Act 1996, any clause in a settlement agreement or Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that attempts to stop you from making a protected disclosure in the future is completely void. While an agreement can settle your personal financial claims, your employer cannot legally prevent you from reporting crimes, safety hazards, or regulatory failures to the proper authorities.

Complete your agreement in 3 easy steps

1
Start
Start by clicking "Start process", calling us, or requesting a callback from us.
2
Get Advice
We'll give you free legal advice on what your settlement agreement means and what your options are on the same day as we receive it. Negotiation services are available where applicable.
3
Sign-Off
Once you're happy with your employer's terms, sign and return it to us. We'll speak with your employer to seek closure that same day. We'll return your completed agreement so you can get back on with your life.

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