An employee’s dilemma - prior to whistleblowing protection being enshrined in law.
Dear Sirs,
I have spoken to my local Citizens Advice Bureau about my predicament and they suggest I contact you.
I have been working, as an accountant for my present employer for nine months and under the employment laws I have no redress if I am dismissed. I am being asked to submit fraudulent bonus claims to a manufacturer. The claims show a lesser profit than the company is making on the sale of vehicles.
I have pointed out to the branch manager and the managing director that these claims are fraudulent but they maintain that I should complete them.
Can you tell me whether I have the right to refuse to submit them and whether I have any redress if they dismiss me? The problem is of great concern to me as I am 44 years old with a young family, and I am finding it difficult to find other employment.
I look forward to receiving any literature or advice you can give me. Yours faithfully,
This letter from a client has been reproduced with his agreement. It has been amended solely to protect his identity. In reply we advised the client that he had no statutory protection if he was victimised for raising the matter again internally or with the victim of the fraud or if he refused to participate in the malpractice. Although we offered to raise the matter on his behalf with the MD or the Board so as to strengthen his position, he felt he could not take any decisive action. While he was very grateful for our help, he wrote “The employment laws need to be strengthened to stop unscrupulous employers. I hope for the sake of everyone that your Bill becomes an Act very soon”.