Protected Disclosures – Reasonable Belief In Public Interest

In the case of Okwu v Rise Community Action, the EAT found that, in relation to whether a protected disclosure was in the public interest or not, it only requred the employee to have reasonable belief that it was.

The Claimant was employed by, Rise, a charity providing support for individuals affected by domestic violence. After issues were raised about the capability of the Claimant, her probation period was extended by three months. The Claimant wrote to the Respondent raising concerns that Rise were breaching Data Protection legislation. The Claimant's employment was later terminated and she brought an unfair dismissal claim against the Respondent on the basis that she had been dismissed for whistleblowing. The Employment Tribunal found that matters she raised concerned only her own position and were not in the public interest.