Whistleblowing and ethical workplaces
How can organisations create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up about wrongdoing, asks Integrity at Work, Transparency International Ireland programme manager Dr Freda Grealy (small picture).
This question is at the heart of Integrity at Work Week, taking place from 2-5 November this year, with a series of free events exploring whistleblowing, protected disclosures and workplace integrity.
Integrity at Work (IAW), a programme facilitated by Transparency International Ireland, works with organisations across the public, private and non-profit sectors to foster workplace cultures where people can raise concerns and act with integrity.
Organisations that join IAW commit to protecting workers who report wrongdoing, taking action in response to concerns raised and developing effective systems for handling reports.
Members can access practical resources, guidance and training to help strengthen their approach to speaking up.
Dr Grealy outlines “having a policy or reporting channel is important, but it is only part of the picture. People also need to feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously, handled appropriately and that they will not face penalisation for speaking up.”
Leadership
“Creating that confidence requires leadership, trust and a workplace culture in which raising concerns is recognised as an important part of organisational accountability.”
IAW Week will bring together practitioners and experts to explore how organisations can put these principles into practice.
Sessions will examine tools and resources for employers, the impact of whistleblowing on families and personal relationships, building a culture where people feel safe to speak up, and legal developments and challenges in whistleblower protection in Ireland.
Of particular interest to legal practitioners, the programme includes an online panel on Thursday, 5 November, examining Whistleblowing in Ireland: Legal Developments and Challenges since 2025.
Chaired by Dr Freda Grealy, pictured, the panel includes:
- Solicitor Donal O’Connor of Transparency Legal Advice Centre,
- Dr Lauren Kierans BL, Assistant Professor of Law at Maynooth University, and
- Paul D Maier BL, who specialises in employment, labour and workplace law.
The speakers will discuss recent decisions from the Workplace Relations Commission, Labour Court and High Court, exploring what they mean in practice for employers.
The programme includes a hybrid event on 3 November in collaboration with the University of Galway, exploring Whistleblowing, Families and Justice.
The events are particularly relevant to employers, HR and compliance professionals, managers and legal practitioners, but are open to anyone interested in promoting ethical and accountable workplaces.
All events are free to attend. Sessions may be suitable for CPD, but eligibility and accreditation requirements vary between professional bodies.
View the programme and register your interest.