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When someone speaks up
Avanti Academy / Managing well / People Management and Employment Law / Bitesize
Bitesize

When someone speaks up

Whistleblowing and fair dismissal.

Level
Bitesize
Learning time
1 hour 15 minutes
Where
People Management and Employment Law
Price
£39

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Read the full terms

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Certificate of Completion

About this course

Overview and Outcomes.

Overview

Public services depend on staff noticing when something is wrong and feeling able to say so, and a concern raised is a gift of information. This module explains whistleblowing law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, including sexual harassment as a qualifying category from April 2026, then moves to culture: a speaking up system that works, the unequal costs of speaking up, quiet detriment, and lessons from Mid Staffordshire, the Francis review and arrangements in Wales. Ending someone's employment is the most serious decision most managers take, and the question is whether this dismissal, of this person, was handled fairly. This module covers the five potentially fair reasons, the band of reasonable responses and Polkey v AE Dayton Services, constructive dismissal from Western Excavating v Sharp, notice, pay and paperwork, tribunal remedies, Acas early conciliation, and settlement and non-disclosure agreements, with the aim of ending with dignity.

What you'll develop

In this Bitesize, you will develop the ability to:

  1. Identify when a concern is likely to be a protected disclosure, including the reasonable belief and public interest tests and the routes for disclosure.
  2. Apply five practical moves when someone raises a concern with you, from thanking them to protecting them and following up.
  3. Assess whether a speaking up culture is healthy, including recognising quiet detriment and the unequal costs of speaking up.
  4. Identify the five potentially fair reasons for dismissal and explain how fair reason, fair process and fair decision are tested together.
  5. Distinguish an express dismissal from a constructive dismissal and recognise everyday actions that can wear away trust and confidence.
What it covers

The Modules.

1 hour 15 minutes of learning.

  1. 12Speaking Up: Whistleblowing and Protected DisclosuresPublic services depend on staff noticing when something is wrong and feeling able to say so, and a concern raised is a gift of information. This module explains whistleblowing law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, including sexual harassment as a qualifying category from April 2026, then moves to culture: a speaking up system that works, the unequal costs of speaking up, quiet detriment, and lessons from Mid Staffordshire, the Francis review and arrangements in Wales.38 min
  2. 13Dismissal Done FairlyEnding someone's employment is the most serious decision most managers take, and the question is whether this dismissal, of this person, was handled fairly. This module covers the five potentially fair reasons, the band of reasonable responses and Polkey v AE Dayton Services, constructive dismissal from Western Excavating v Sharp, notice, pay and paperwork, tribunal remedies, Acas early conciliation, and settlement and non-disclosure agreements, with the aim of ending with dignity.39 min
Where it fits

Keep going.

Part of the People Management and Employment Law topic, also sold whole as Fair, firm and lawful.

How credit works

Go deeper, and pay only the difference

  1. You are hereBitesize, 1 hour 15 minutes, £39
  2. Next stepFocus, When the stakes are high, 4 hours, £69. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £30.
  3. Explore, When it gets difficult, 5 hours, £129. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £90.
  4. The whole topicImmerse, Fair, firm and lawful, 11 hours, £249. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £210.

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Prices per person. Read the full terms

Also part of: Fair, firm and lawful

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