# EXAMPLE: WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY
Date: 8 June 2028
Parties: Asterfield Robotics Limited and its workers
## 1. Purpose
Asterfield encourages workers to raise a reasonable belief of a criminal offence, breach of legal duty, miscarriage of justice, danger to health and safety, environmental damage or concealment. This policy follows the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
## 2. Scope
Reports may be made to the line manager, Speak Up Officer Harriet Cole, the confidential portal or, where appropriate, a prescribed regulator. A worker need not investigate or prove the concern before reporting.
## 3. Responsibilities
The Speak Up Officer acknowledges a report within three working days, records the issue securely and decides whether an internal investigator, specialist adviser or regulator should handle it. The reporter receives updates where lawful.
## 4. Policy-specific rules
Information is shared confidentially on a need-to-know basis, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed if a fair investigation or legal duty requires identification. Personal data is handled under UK GDPR.
## 5. Reporting
No one may dismiss, discipline, reduce hours, deny promotion or otherwise subject a worker to detriment for a protected disclosure. An alleged retaliation is escalated immediately and may itself be gross misconduct.
## 6. Process
Investigations are impartial, evidence-led and separate from any grievance or disciplinary outcome. A reporter who knowingly makes a false allegation is not protected by this policy, but a mistaken good-faith report is.
## 7. Review and approval
The General Counsel reviews cases quarterly, reports anonymous themes to the board and reviews this policy each June. External advice, ACAS guidance and statutory reporting routes remain available.