Whistleblowing Policy

1. Policy Statement

MEL encourages individuals to raise serious concerns about wrongdoing, unlawful conduct, serious health and safety risks, safeguarding failures, fraud, corruption, modern slavery, serious regulatory breaches or other matters in the public interest.

MEL will seek to ensure that concerns are handled fairly and that individuals who make protected disclosures are not subjected to unlawful detriment or retaliation.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear route for raising serious concerns and to ensure that appropriate concerns are investigated and escalated.

3. Scope

This policy may be used by employees, workers, contractors and other individuals who have a relevant connection with MEL.

4. Matters That May Be Reported

Examples include concerns about:

• criminal activity;
• fraud or financial wrongdoing;
• bribery or corruption;
• modern slavery or worker exploitation;
• serious health and safety risks;
• serious safeguarding concerns;
• deliberate breaches of legal requirements;
• serious regulatory failures;
• concealment of wrongdoing; or
• other matters falling within applicable whistleblowing legislation.

5. Difference Between Whistleblowing and a Grievance

A grievance normally concerns an individual's own employment or workplace circumstances.

Whistleblowing generally concerns serious wrongdoing or a matter affecting others or the wider public interest.

Where there is uncertainty, MEL will consider the substance of the concern rather than requiring the individual to use a particular label.

6. How to Raise a Concern

Concerns should normally be raised with the appropriate manager or designated compliance contact.

If the concern involves the individual's manager, the concern should be raised with another appropriate member of management.

7. Anonymous Reports

MEL may accept anonymous reports where sufficient information is provided to allow meaningful assessment.

However, anonymity may make investigation more difficult and may prevent MEL from providing feedback.

8. Investigation

MEL will assess reported concerns and determine an appropriate response.

Depending on the circumstances, this may involve internal investigation, independent review, consultation with professional advisers or referral to an appropriate authority.

9. Confidentiality

MEL will seek to maintain confidentiality to the extent reasonably practicable. Information may need to be disclosed where required to investigate the concern, protect individuals, comply with legal obligations or involve an appropriate authority.

10. Protection from Retaliation

MEL will not tolerate retaliation against an individual for raising a genuine concern in good faith or making a disclosure protected by law.

11. False or Malicious Reports

Individuals should raise concerns honestly and responsibly.

Knowingly making malicious or deliberately false allegations may itself result in appropriate action.

12. External Reporting

Nothing in this policy prevents an individual from making a disclosure to an appropriate external body where the law permits or requires it.

13. Records

Relevant records will be maintained securely and in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

14. Monitoring

MEL may review whistleblowing concerns to identify systemic risks, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.

15. Contact

MEL
6-9 The Square
Stockley Park
Uxbridge
UB11 1FW

Email: info@mymel.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8064 0994

16. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following significant legal, regulatory or operational changes.