Helpline
Launched in 1993, our helpline has dealt with over 10,000 whistleblowing concerns - preventing losses of tens of thousands of pounds and averting countless legal claims and disputes. The helpline is for genuine concerns about wrongdoing and does not advise on grievances or private disputes. If you wish to refer your staff to the helpine, we ask that you take a subscription to it. These start from £500 and include posters, a compliance toolkit and consultancy or training.
How does the helpline work?
The helpline, which is run by experienced lawyers, provides independent and confidential advice to employees who are unsure whether or how to raise a whistleblowing concern. Our approach is that genuine concerns are best raised openly and that the people in charge of an organisation should be given the chance to consider and address any such issue. By providing your staff with access to our confidential advice at an early stage, we can reassure them to use your policy, help them to keep a sense of perspective and can prevent a concern degenerating into a grievance. Our involvement also helps ensure that your managers will more likely solicit and deal with difficult concerns than wish them away. In this way we help you to deliver good management and demonstrate good governance.
Is the helpline different from commercial hotlines?
Yes. Our helpline gives confidential, independent advice - something recommended by government, regulators and the law. It reassures staff and managers (and stakeholders and relevant authorities) - that your risk management and compliance schemes are genuine. Unlike commercial hotlines, our helpline does not encourage anonymous reporting and it does not confuse whistleblowing concerns with private grievances. Nor does it constitute formal notification to you or impose legal liability on you.
How subscribers should refer to the helpline
Our support packages include posters to promote your whistleblowing arrangements, a compliance toolkit and additional benefits including training and consultancy.
To ensure that we provide you and your staff with the best help, please use the following wording:
“If you are unsure whether or how to raise a concern or you want confidential advice, you can contact the independent charity Public Concern at Work on 020 7404 6609 or at helpline@pcaw.co.uk. They can give you free confidential advice on how to raise a concern about serious malpractice at work".
For more information about our services, please contact us on 020 7404 6609, or at services@pcaw.co.uk
