Do I complain or whistleblow?

Many organisations have separate procedures for handling complaints and whistleblowing. Please read this page carefully, since choosing the wrong procedure may delay any resolution of the problem. This page relates to complaints and whistleblowing in the Diocese of Coventry (which roughly covers the Church of England in Coventry and Warwickshire).   

Complain

You might want to complain if you consider the actions or behaviour of a person or organisation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. By making a complaint you are seeking an apology and/or the resolution of a problem. For information about how to complain, please click here.

Whistleblow

Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing or danger in relation to our activities.  It relates to one or more of the following failures:

• A criminal offence;
• Failing to comply with a legal obligation;
• A miscarriage of justice;
• Endangering the health and safety of an individual;
• Environmental damage;
• A breach of legal or professional obligations;
• Concealing any information relating to the above.

By whistleblowing you are seeking to change the organisation in the public interest.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 is designed to protect employees from suffering any unfair detriment at work as a result of whistleblowing. For information about how to whistleblow, please click here.