Unite the Union’s Debbie Halsall has challenged a description of island’s whistleblowing policy, citing the high-profile case of Dr Rosalind Ranson as evidence of systemic failure.
The Chair of the Public Services Commission Rob Callister recently described the policy as “robust” and suggested it sits alongside the strongest systems in the British Isles.
In a strongly-worded statement issued via the Isle of Man TUC, Mrs Halsall said: “That is a bold claim. Because when you move beyond the policy documents and look at the reality, the Island’s most high-profile whistleblowing case tells a very different story.”
Ms Halsall detailed how Dr Ranson raised concerns during the pandemic but spent years fighting through the courts.
The outcome was an Employment and Equality Tribunal finding that she had suffered detriment after making protected disclosures.
The public cost of the case has been calculated at well in excess of £4 million. This includes close to £3.2 million in compensation to Dr Ranson, a government legal defence bill of around £900,000, and a Tynwald investigation costing a further £327,708.
Function
Ms Halsall stated: “That is not what a functioning whistleblowing system looks like. A system that works protects the individual when the concern is raised.
“It does not leave them to fight the organisation for years before a tribunal finally vindicates them.”
She also criticised the chair’s request for evidence when the issue of psychological safety was raised.
“Psychological safety is not a slogan or an abstract theory,” Ms Halsall said.
“Before asking others to produce evidence about psychological safety, the Chair of the Public Services Commission might want to reflect on the fact that the most prominent whistleblower on this island had to win a tribunal and a £3.2 million judgment before the system acknowledged what had happened to her.
“That is evidence enough for most people.”