Public Interest Disclosure Support

We are appointed by employers to provide independent support to those involved in whistleblower complaints.

WHISTLEBLOWERS – HOW WE CAN HELP

A Public Interest Support Officer is appointed under various state and federal Public Interest Disclosure (PID) legislation and PID Standards to provide support to a discloser, subject officer or witness who is involved in a PID.

PID managers or disclosers often prefer to nominate a person from outside the organisation to provide independent support to avoid any conflicts of interest or perceptions of bias.

Our PID support specialists are engaged by the entity managing the PID to provide confidential, independent support and information to whistle-blowers and parties to an investigation, during the investigation process and afterward.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR PID SUPPORT?

PID support applies to anyone involved in a Public Interest Disclosure (whistleblower complaint) who may be called to participate in an investigation who feels they need an independent person, from outside their organisation, to assist them through the process. A PID support person is appointed by the person’s employer and the PID service continues until the investigation has been finalised and the matter resolved.

WHAT DOES A PID SUPPORT OFFICER DO?

We provide practical support such as;

helping the discloser to manage their expectations;
helping the involved party to mentally prepare for investigation interviews and other potentially stressful situations;
understand the issues involved and potential resolution;
act as a support person during investigation interviews and disciplinary meetings;
Provide information about the process (including clarifying the investigator’s role);
Provide updates about the case to the discloser or involved party;
Provide information about access to professional support services such as the employee assistance program;
Monitor for signs of detriment or reprisal;

Proactively contact the discloser or involved party to check on their well-being from time-to-time;
Liaise with the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator about areas of concern or matters of reprisal;
Provide an indirect resource for the discloser or involved party in considering the resolution of issues directly connected to the Public Interest Disclosure, directly connected to areas of concern or directly connected to matters of reprisal

PID Support does not include;

legal advice;
interpretation of employer policies and procedures;
review or participation in the complaint, its referral or investigation;
acting as an advocate on behalf of the discloser or involved parties.

OUR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Our PID Support Consultants have extensive experience providing this type of support within government organisations. Most also have experience investigating whistleblower complaints and understand how these types of processes should work from a best practice point of view.

Many of our consultants hold qualifications in government investigations and have either worked within the public service or alongside government organisations for many years. All of our consultants have extensive experience managing sensitive matters and have a deep understanding of the fears, concerns and needs of whistleblowers as well as those who may have been accused of serious misconduct.

ENGAGING SYNERGY WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

HOW TO GET STARTED

If you are a PID discloser or an involved party in need of support, you can make a request for independent support via your employer. If you are an employer seeking independent PID support for a third party Contact us to discuss next steps.