It is important, before formally raising a concern, to reflect on the matter and on how you propose to raise it. All cases will differ.
You should first of all rehearse with yourself the basis for your concern. Some issues may be straightforward to identify – e.g. breach of a specific regulation, assault, environmental damage. However, others may be more difficult – e.g. embezzlement, bribery, drug abuse. Consider if it is appropriate to validate your concern with the people directly concerned. This may be quite inappropriate in some circumstances and result in reprisal or destruction of evidence.
Consider if it would be helpful to test or corroborate your concern with work colleagues. This may be appropriate in some cases but may have the downside of potentially breaching your confidentiality when the matter is being investigated.
You may decide to discuss your concern with family or close and trusted friends but be careful not to breach employer confidentiality.
If your employer is registered and you are in doubt, you may also seek information and guidance in advance from Raiseaconcern.com.
Once you have a reasonable belief that wrongdoing has occurred, your motive in raising a concern is not relevant from the point of view of claiming any applicable protection under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. However, it is important to consider your motive and ensure that your views are not distorted by personalities or the consequences of your action.
Equally, you should consider why the wrongdoing is taking place. Many issues arise due to incompetence or bad procedure rather than due to corruption or bad intentions. This may influence the manner in which you describe your concern.
It is always advisable to document your concern. If you are raising the concern through Raiseaconcern.com, you will be required to set out details on our secure website. This should be as expansive as possible but confined to relevant details. If you have created any notes in the lead up to raising your concern (which is advisable) these may be attached. You may also attach any other supporting documentation such as letters, memos, reports, photographs or copies of diary entries, provided they do not reveal your identity.
Documents (including photographs) must be in PDF format. You may attach audio or video recordings. It is not essential to provide evidence. You are not required to conduct your own investigation and indeed you are requested not to.
Finally, you need to consider if the concern you raise and the circumstances in which you raise it qualify you for protection under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 or under the terms of your Organisation's Policy on Raising Concerns (Whistleblowing Policy).