Protected Disclosure Letter Template & Generator

If you need to formally make a protected disclosure to your employer or a prescribed regulator, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong protected disclosure letter should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• State clearly this is a formal protected disclosure
• Describe the wrongdoing being disclosed with facts and dates
• Explain why the worker reasonably believes this is in the public interest
• Identify the recipient as the appropriate person to receive the disclosure
• Request the matter is investigated and a formal response given

What makes a disclosure genuinely "protected"

For legal protection to apply, you need a reasonable belief that your disclosure is in the public interest and that it tends to show one of the specific categories of wrongdoing — a criminal offence, breach of legal obligation, danger to health and safety, environmental damage, or a cover-up of any of these.

What to include before you send it

• A clear, factual description of the wrongdoing you believe has occurred
• Why you reasonably believe it falls within one of the protected categories
• Any evidence supporting your disclosure
• Confirmation of who you're disclosing to, and why they're an appropriate recipient

Why disclosing to your employer first is often, but not always, the right approach

Disclosures to your employer are protected, and this is often the natural first step — but where you reasonably believe internal disclosure would lead to evidence being destroyed or would be ineffective, disclosure to a prescribed external regulator can also be protected without needing to go through your employer first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need proof the wrongdoing definitely happened before disclosing?
No — a reasonable belief is sufficient; you don't need conclusive proof, since establishing the full facts is often part of what a proper investigation is for.

What protection do I have after making this disclosure?
You're protected from detriment or dismissal connected to making a genuine protected disclosure, with no cap on compensation if a dismissal claim succeeds.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.