Irish Whistleblowing Law continues to lack clear definitions of workplace bullying

Concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of Irish whistleblowing legislation in adequately protecting whistleblowers, particularly with the absence of a clear definition of workplace bullying. While the legal framework aims to support whistleblowers in reporting misconduct, critics like journalist Paul Henry argue the law falls short of addressing this pervasive issue.

Unlike in Australia, which has established a comprehensive definition of workplace bullying, Ireland lacks such clarity, leaving whistleblowers vulnerable to various forms of intimidation and harassment. Without a precise definition, identifying and addressing instances of workplace bullying becomes significantly more challenging, often resulting in whistleblowers facing isolation and retaliation for speaking out.

With the Office of the Whistleblower, the UK has the opportunity to become a leading example globally in protecting people from bullying in the workplace. Nobody should be afraid of coming to work because of the abuse they might receive. The Government should seek to adopt this legislation as soon as possible.