The Employment Rights Act 1996 protects a worker from detrimental treatment for making a qualifying disclosure (whistle-blowing) to one of a number of prescribed persons. Under a new Order, that takes effect from 1 January 2005, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been added to the list of prescribed persons.

The protection afforded by legislation applies if the worker makes the disclosure to the Commission in good faith, reasonably believing that it falls within the scope of the Commission and that the information disclosed, and any allegation in it, are substantially true. The matters that fall within the scope of the Commission are "matters relating to the conduct of a person serving with the police or of any other person in relation to whose conduct the Independent Police Complaints Commission exercises functions in or under any legislation".

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...back to 17 December 2004

Sources:
www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2004/20043265.htm