Whistleblowing policy

Purpose and scope

We want to hear about wrongdoing early, so that we can put it right. This policy explains how to raise a concern, what we will do and how you are protected.

It applies to everyone who works for us, including employees, agency workers and the specialist trades we bring in. Suppliers, clients and residents can use the same routes.

What you can raise

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who report wrongdoing. Its rules are in Part IVA of the Employment Rights Act 1996, and cover:

• a criminal offence, such as fraud, theft or bribery
• danger to anyone's health or safety
• damage to the environment
• a failure to meet a legal obligation
• a miscarriage of justice
• an attempt to cover up any of these

You do not need proof. It is enough that you reasonably believe the wrongdoing has happened, is happening or is likely to, and that raising it is in the public interest.

Whistleblowing or a grievance?

A complaint about your own pay, treatment or working conditions is usually a personal grievance. Raise it with your site manager or a director, who will deal with it as a grievance. Whistleblowing is about wrongdoing that affects others or the public. If you are not sure which applies, raise it anyway and we will help.

How to raise a concern

You can raise a concern in person, by phone or in writing:

• with your site manager
• with a director, if you would rather not go to your site manager, or the concern involves them
• in confidence, by email to info@aglcs.co.uk marked “Confidential — for the directors”

Tell us what you have seen, when, and who was involved. If you ask us to keep your identity confidential, we will not reveal it without your agreement unless the law requires us to. You can raise a concern anonymously, but that makes it harder to look into and to tell you the outcome.

What happens next

A director will look into your concern, or arrange for it to be looked into, and keep you informed as far as we can. We may not be able to share everything, for example where it would affect someone else's confidentiality.

Protection from retaliation

No one who raises a genuine concern will be dismissed, disciplined or treated unfairly for doing so, even if it turns out to be mistaken. Anyone who victimises or threatens a person for raising a concern will face disciplinary action. The law protects you too.

Outside help

Protect, the whistleblowing charity, gives free and confidential advice at protect-advice.org.uk.

You can also report some concerns to a prescribed person, such as the Health and Safety Executive for health and safety, or the Environment Agency for harm to the environment. GOV.UK explains who they are at gov.uk/whistleblowing. We hope you will raise concerns with us first, but you do not have to.

Responsibilities and review

The directors of AGL Construction Services Ltd own this policy and make sure concerns are handled properly. They review it every year, and sooner if the law changes.