Compensating Whistleblowers
The issue of compensation and rewards remains a contentious one, dominated in the UK by the opinion that whistleblowers do not support rewards. The Government’s Anti-corruption champion, John Penrose MP, raised his concerns on the 24th February stating "I'd be worried about creating a moral hazard if [whistleblowers] got a personal reward incentive".
However, it remains the case under existing legislation that the only redress for whistleblowers is reinstatement and compensation via the courts or settlement agreements that are usually subject to substantial NDA’s. The Government agree, with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial strategy concluding that “using these clauses to silence and intimidate victims of harassment and discrimination cannot be tolerated” in their response to the Government consultation on confidentiality clauses.
