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About University of Galway
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Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
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Accessibility & LanguagePost-disclosure Survival Strategies
Whistleblowing serves as a critical mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability, yet the challenges faced by whistleblowers after disclosing wrongdoing are often overlooked. Despite being acknowledged as vital for exposing corruption, whistleblowers often find themselves without financial support, facing career setbacks, and with little prospect of finding work in their chosen field.
In response to this issue, the research project Post-Disclosure Survival Strategies: Transforming Whistleblower Experiences was launched, funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) from 2016 to 2019. Led by Professor Kate Kenny and Professor Marianna Fotaki, the project focused on understanding the financial, personal, and career-related costs of whistleblowing and how whistleblowers can be better supported post-disclosure.
Research Questions:
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What are the tangible and intangible costs of whistleblowing for individuals who leave their organization?
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What support structures are needed to assist whistleblowers after they have spoken out?
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How can whistleblowing be reframed to ensure that appropriate support mechanisms are in place?
Through a comprehensive survey of 92 whistleblowers and over 60 in-depth interviews with whistleblowers and experts, our research uncovered the significant financial and career-related costs whistleblowers face when protections are insufficient. These findings have since informed the development of new strategies for better institutional support.
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Information for Whistleblowers
There is practical information available for people who are considering blowing the whistle, or (as can happen) have already spoken out about perceived wrongdoing and are now experiencing retaliation. No two whistleblowing situations are the same, so we recommend people take the time to consult sources of advice and learn about others’ journeys.
It is important to understand your legal rights before speaking up if you feel you might be vulnerable to reprisal. Legal protections can come with requirements to disclose in specific ways, at different stages. You should get advice early on (see below). Trade unions might also be a source of help.
From our experience, solidarity is key— working with allies where it is possible to do so, as is the support of loved ones.
The following resources draw on years of experience and offer sensible advice. 'Watch- Ten Tips for Blowing the Whistle from the US Government Accountability Project.’
Professor Brian Martin has produced a practical guide and has kindly made this book freely available here: Whistleblowing- A Practical Guide Page 3 guides readers to the most relevant place in the book for their situation.
Legal experts, campaigners and activists at Government Accountability Project have produced ‘Caught between Conscience and Career’, a useful guide to self-protection when speaking out (see also ‘The Corporate Whistleblower Survival Guide‘).
The above resources provide general advice. Also- whistleblower support and advice groups exist in many countries. They often produce country-specific guidance which is useful because legal frameworks differ from country to country.
See Transparency International Ireland’s ‘Speak Up Safely’ Guide.
In the UK, Protect provides advice for workers.
These and other organizations offer legal helplines that can assist with queries on whistleblower protection laws.
When using internal channels it can be helpful to consider Prof Martin’s book Official Channels, and specifically the chapter on the topic: Official Channels (see Whistleblowing).
Kate Kenny’s book on whistleblowing offers case studies of whistleblowers who have disclosed externally to regulators and to the media, along with sources of support they found helpful (chapters six to nine particularly).
A webinar at the University of Galway features five courageous whistleblowers reflecting on their post disclosure survival strategies, and can be watched back (second video on the page).
Our research into post disclosure survival strategies focused on the financial costs, impacts and potential sources of support for those who disclose wrongdoing (See all our videos in this page)
