Curriculum

Training Materials

A recommended training curriculum for whistleblower protection: what to cover, who it is for, and roughly how long each part takes. Use it to build your own programme, or ask us for help putting one together.

Updated February 2025 4 min read

Basic awareness training

Essential training for all employees, to understand whistleblower protection and reporting procedures.

  • Module 1: Understanding whistleblower protection

    30 minutes
    • What is whistleblowing?
    • Types of protected disclosures
    • Legal protections
    • Reporting channels
  • Module 2: Making a report

    45 minutes
    • When to report
    • How to report
    • What to include
    • Confidentiality

Manager training

Specialized training for managers on handling reports and preventing retaliation.

Prerequisite

Complete basic awareness training before starting manager training.

  • Module 1: Receiving reports

    60 minutes
    • Initial response procedures
    • Documentation requirements
    • Confidentiality management
    • Escalation protocols
  • Module 2: Preventing retaliation

    45 minutes
    • Recognizing retaliation
    • Preventive measures
    • Response procedures
    • Case studies

Investigator training

Advanced training for conducting thorough and fair investigations.

Prerequisite

Complete manager training, and have a minimum of two years of management experience.

  • Module 1: Investigation fundamentals

    90 minutes
    • Investigation planning
    • Evidence collection
    • Interview techniques
    • Documentation
  • Module 2: Advanced investigation

    120 minutes
    • Complex case handling
    • Legal considerations
    • Report writing
    • Case studies

Additional topics

Worth adding once the three tracks above are running.

  • Case studies

    Real-world examples of whistleblower cases and their outcomes.

  • Assessment tools

    Quizzes and evaluation tools to test knowledge and understanding.

Want help putting this in place?

We can help you adapt this outline for your organization, and give your people a free reporting channel to use alongside it.