Potential implementation: April 2026

What is the position now?

Whistleblowing laws already protect workers who raise concerns about certain serious issues, such as criminal behaviour, legal breaches or health and safety risks. Workers cannot be subjected to detrimental treatment or dismissal because their raised such issues.

What is changing?

The government plans to extend whistleblowing protection to cover reports about sexual harassment. This will include situations where harassment has already happened, is happening now or is likely to happen in the future.

What does this mean for employers?

Workers who raise these concerns will be protected from being treated unfairly and employees will also be protected from dismissal. Employers will need to handle reports of sexual harassment carefully and ensure that people who speak up are not penalised for doing so.

As at Feb 26