Whistleblowing guidance for drivers and passenger assistants
This guidance is for employees of transport operators who have contracts with the council, including:
- taxi drivers
- passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) drivers
- passenger assistants
Whistleblowing
‘Whistleblowing’ is the term used when someone believes that someone else at work is doing something dangerous to others, breaking the law or acting unethically, and reports them for it. It might also be referred to as ‘making a disclosure’ or ‘blowing the whistle’.
You are legally protected from being treated badly because of reporting something.
Examples of concerns you could raise include:
- abuse of clients
- safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people or adults with care and support needs
- you believe someone is covering up wrongdoing
- someone’s health and safety is in danger
- fraud or corruption
- the company is breaking the law, for example does not have the right insurance
- risk or actual damage to the environment
You don’t need to have proof, you just need to have reasonable concerns (but you can’t just complain about a colleague you don’t like).
How to report
You should first speak with or put your concerns in writing to your manager.
If the concern involves your manager, speak to their superior instead.
Always report concerns yourself rather than asking someone else to do it for you.
Your manager will deal with the concern, pass it to another manager or the Client Transport Compliance Team to deal with.
If you cannot raise it internally
There may be times when you feel unable, or it may not be appropriate for you to raise your concerns with your manager.
If you're worried that your report is too serious or sensitive to raise with managers, or because of who you think may be involved, you should report concerns to the Client Transport Compliance Team instead by emailing [email protected].
If your concerns relate to children or vulnerable people
If your concerns relate to children or adults you must report them to the social care teams using the contact details on the following pages: