The government is seeking to push back the deadline for introducing legislation protecting whistleblowers by a full year to carry out further consultation and examine the potential costs to businesses.
The Council of Ministers has lodged an amendment that would give the Social Security Minister until 31 January 2028 – rather than January 2027 – to finalise and bring the Draft Protected Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Law to the States Assembly.
The move comes despite States Members voting unanimously in July 2023 for the government to bring forward whistleblowing legislation within 12 months.
A draft law was published in March this year, but Social Security Minister Elaine Millar subsequently told a Scrutiny hearing that progressing it would not be a priority in 2027.
In its amendment, ministers said an “appropriate framework to protect and encourage genuine whistleblowing” was an important part of a modern and ethical labour market – but warned that a new legal framework could create “significant costs” and unintended consequences, including misuse.
The government now wants to consult employers, employee representatives, human-resources professionals and people with practical experience of whistleblowing systems.
An impact assessment will also examine existing protections and any gaps, as well as the implications for businesses, employees, the Employment and Discrimination Tribunal and whistleblowing activity. The findings will be published.
Ministers said: “A...
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