TUC: Whistleblowers need more protection
Individuals who speak out against unsafe working practises should be given greater legal protection, according to the TUC.
It claims that since 1999 at least 1,500 workers have been fired for raising safety concerns with their employers.
And it warns the actual number of workers dismissed is likely to be higher when non-unionised workplaces are taken into account.
Though the law states that workers have a right to refuse to do dangerous work, the TUC suggests that unscrupulous employers find it cheaper to dismiss an employee – even if they are later fined for doing so – than make the necessary safety improvements.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said that a better legal system to protect those who raise concerns is needed.
He said: “It shouldn’t be a firing offence to object to unsafe work. Workers should not be placed in the situation where they are forced to choose between risking their job or risking their personal health and safety. We need a legal system that protects safety whistleblowers, not rewards them with their cards.
“The problem is far worse than official statistics show. Unionised workers get advice and representation so are far more likely to get their job back where employers do the wrong thing. Workers who aren’t in a union, and casual and migrant workers stand little chance of redress.”
The TUC is calling for a system of roving union safety representatives, modelled on a system in Australia. This would allow unions to travel to workplaces where there is no union presence and potentially serve “provisional improvement and provision prohibition notices” against employers as a warning to curb dangerous practises.
In addition, it wants workplaces to be inspected more often by the Health and Safety Executive and employers to be legally bound to respond to safety concerns raised by union reps.
