Protected disclosures
The Protected Disclosures Act sets up a scheme for public and private sector employees to report serious wrong-doing in their workplace (sometimes called 'whistle-blowing') to an appropriate authority, such as an Ombudsman. Under the Act, if an employee makes a "protected disclosure" they will have certain rights and protections.
The Protected Disclosures Act:
- is about disclosure, in the public interest, of serious wrongdoing;
- sets out the procedures to be followed when making a disclosure; and
- provides protection to both public and private sector employees who make disclosures in accordance with the Act.
The pages below provide further information about the Protected Disclosures Act and an Ombudsman's functions under that Act.
An Ombudsman can provide information and guidance
Under the Protected Disclosures Act, an Ombudsman can provide information and guidance to people who have made, or are considering making, protected disclosures about serious wrong-doing within the organisation where they are employed. The Protected Disclosures Act covers both public and private sector organisations and employees.Disclosures can be made to an Ombudsman
An Ombudsman is one of the authorities listed in the Act to whom protected disclosures can be made. This page also lists the other authorities to whom protected disclosures can be made.When is a disclosure protected?
This page describes the circumstances in which a disclosure will be protected under the Protected Disclosures Act.What is serious wrongdoing?
The Protected Disclosures Act is about the disclosure of "serious wrongdoing". This page explains what "serious wrongdoing" means.Confidentiality
This page contains information about the confidentiality of protected disclosures.Pamphlets
Further information about the Protected Disclosures Act and an Ombudsman's functions under that Act can be found in our pamphlet "A Guide to the Protected Disclosures Act".