What are the legal risks for employers when whistleblowing disclosures are followed by redundancies (even if unrelated)? An ongoing tribunal case involving Google UK serves as a reminder to tread carefully. Rhys Wyborn, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau, highlights key considerations and safeguards for HR leaders as legislative change unfolds this year.
Summary: An ongoing tribunal case involving Google UK shows the legal risks when whistleblowing disclosures are followed by redundancies, even if unrelated. With the Employment Rights Act strengthening harassment prevention duties in October 2026, HR teams must ensure investigations are comprehensive, decision-making is independent from complaints, and timing is carefully managed. Even legitimate decisions can create liability if impact on the whistleblower was foreseeable and poorly handled.
A recent, high-profile employment tribunal claim, involving Google UK, has brought renewed focus on how businesses navigate whistleblowing, sexual harassment and organisational decision-making during restructures, particularly as they unfold at the same time.
Although the tribunal’s judgment is yet to be announced, the case already offers valuable lessons for HR professionals navigating misconduct investigations alongside role changes or redundancy. This will become even more vital as the legal obligations around harassment and whistleblowing protection are due to be tightened later this year.
...
Home Politics Top News Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung firmly refuted a statement in which Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, said Taiwan was part of China. Lin said March 8 that th...