There is practical information available for people who are considering blowing the whistle, or (as can happen) have already spoken out about perceived wrongdoing and are now experiencing retaliation.  No two whistleblowing situations are the same, so we recommend people take the time to consult sources of advice and learn about others’ journeys.

It is important to understand your legal rights before speaking up if you feel you might be vulnerable to reprisal. Legal protections can come with requirements to disclose in specific ways, at different stages.  You should get advice early on (see below). Trade unions might also be a source of help.

From our experience, solidarity is key— working with allies where it is possible to do so, as is the support of loved ones.

The following resources draw on years of experience and offer sensible advice. 'Watch- Ten Tips for Blowing the Whistle from the US Government Accountability Project.’ 

Professor Brian Martin has produced a practical guide and has kindly made this book freely available here: Whistleblowing- A Practical Guide  Page 3 guides readers to the most relevant place in the book for their situation.

Legal experts, campaigners and activists at Government Accountability Project have produced ‘Caught between Conscience and Career’, a useful guide to self-protection when speaking out (see also ‘The Corporate Whistleblower Survival Guide‘).

The above resources provide general advice.  Also- whistleblower support and advice groups exist in many countries.  They often produce country-specific guidance which is useful because legal frameworks differ from country to country.

See Transparency International Ireland’s ‘Speak Up Safely’ Guide.

In the UK, Protect provides advice for workers.

These and other organizations offer legal helplines that can assist with queries on whistleblower protection laws.

When using internal channels it can be helpful to consider Prof Martin’s book Official Channels, and specifically the chapter on the topic: Official Channels (see Whistleblowing).

Kate Kenny’s book on whistleblowing offers case studies of whistleblowers who have disclosed externally to regulators and to the media, along with sources of support they found helpful (chapters six to nine particularly).

A webinar at the University of Galway features five courageous whistleblowers reflecting on their post disclosure survival strategies, and can be watched back (second video on the page).

Our research into post disclosure survival strategies focused on the financial costs, impacts and potential sources of support for those who disclose wrongdoing.  See a video summary and link to the research report here.

‘