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Submit a whistleblowing report

Use this service to submit a whistleblowing report about serious wrongdoing affecting the environment or natural resources.

Serious wrongdoing you can disclose

Any serious wrongdoing you disclose must be in the wider public interest. This means it must affect others, for example the general public.

All employees are protected by law from being dismissed or penalised by their employers for raising a serious concern in the wider public interest or 'blowing the whistle'. For example, you are protected by law if you report any of the following:

  • a criminal offence, for example fraud
  • the company is breaking the law
  • a miscarriage of justice
  • someone's health and safety is in danger
  • damage to the environment
  • improper conduct or unethical behaviour
  • if you believe someone is covering up a wrongdoing
  • breaches of financial, trade or transport sanctions (from Prescribed Persons (Amendment) Order 2005)

If you work for another organisation (not Natural Resources Wales) and you do not want to report serious wrongdoing to your own employer, you may be able to report it to us.

Complaints that are not considered serious wrongdoing in the wider public interest

Personal grievances

Personal grievances (bullying, harassment, discrimination) are not covered by whistleblowing law, unless it is in the wider public interest.

You should:

  • check your organisation's grievance policy or contact a Trade Union representative
  • speak to your employer if you have concerns about your terms and conditions or any matters affecting your employment
  • contact the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) for help and advice on resolving a workplace dispute

Environmental incidents

Report environmental incidents that do not count as a serious concern in the wider public interest to us by phone, or online - report an environmental incident.

General concerns

For general concerns, contact us by phone or online.

Submit your whistleblowing report to us

You can submit a whistleblowing report about wrongdoing that:

  • happened in the past
  • is happening now
  • you believe will happen in the near future

You should be able to demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds for your report and should include as much supporting evidence as possible.

You may find it easier to submit a whistleblowing report collectively if there are two or more of you with the same concern.

Get free confidential advice about whistleblowing from Protect.

Report whistleblowing online

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Report whistleblowing over the phone

Contact our 24 hour Incident Communications Centre on 0300 065 3000. 

You can submit a report anonymously by withholding your details. If the concern is raised anonymously, it will not be possible to provide you with the outcome of any investigation that takes place and it may make it more difficult to investigate the concern. 

Report whistleblowing in writing

You should outline:

  • the nature, background, and history to your concern, giving any relevant names, dates, times, locations, what was said, what you observed
  • the reason and/or grounds for your concern
  • the name of any individuals suspected of malpractice
  • the extent to which you have personally witnessed or experienced the problem
  • any documentary evidence available

Write to:

Head of Governance and Head of Internal Audit
Natural Resources Wales
Welsh Government Offices
Cathays Park
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

What happens next

We will be in touch within 10 working days to acknowledge your report.

You will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible to discuss your report. You may have a Trade Union representative or colleague present at any interviews.

We can't say exactly how long the investigation will take. But the investigating officer will ensure it is done as quickly as possible without affecting the investigation. You will be kept informed of progress and given a written summary of the outcome.

Confidentiality

We treat all whistleblowing reports confidentially and make every effort to protect your identity.

In some cases you may need to provide a statement, or there may be a legal obligation to reveal the discloser’s identity. If this happens, we will make every effort to inform you in advance and protect you from any victimisation or harassment.

If you report your whistleblowing concerns publicly before reporting (for example, to the media or on social media), in most cases you will lose your rights to protection under the law.

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