Whistleblowing Awareness in the Workplace Training Course (NZ Version)

Why is the Whistleblowing Awareness in the Workplace Course Important?

Many workers who witness misconduct stay silent — not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know their rights, fear retaliation, or simply don’t know where to turn. That silence can allow serious wrongdoing to continue, harming individuals, organisations, and the public.

Under the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, New Zealand organisations have responsibilities that extend to creating conditions where workers feel safe raising concerns. The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 specifically prohibits retaliation against those who make a qualifying disclosure and provides clear pathways for reporting both internally and to appropriate authorities.

This course removes the confusion and hesitation that keeps people silent. It gives workers the knowledge to act — and gives organisations the documented training that demonstrates a serious commitment to lawful, ethical conduct.

Who Should Complete This Course

• Employees in any New Zealand organisation — public sector, private, or not-for-profit — who may witness or become aware of serious wrongdoing
• Managers and team leaders who need to understand protected disclosure obligations and their responsibilities when concerns are raised
• Contractors, volunteers, and casual workers who interact with organisational systems, finances, or decision-making
• Any worker who wants to understand their legal protections and how to raise concerns safely and effectively

Topics Covered

• Understanding whistleblowing in New Zealand
• Who can make a protected disclosure?
• How do you make a disclosure?
• What happens after a disclosure?
• Protections for whistleblowers

Course Experience

Learners can expect:

• Fully online and accessible anytime
• Interactive and scenario-based learning
• Self-paced completion (pause/resume anytime)
• Assessment: 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required
• Instant digital certificate on completion
• Accessible design (WCAG 2.2 AA compliant; suitable for all literacy levels)

Assessment

There is an assessment for this topic. 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required.

Related Courses

• Conflict of Interests Training Course (NZ Version)
• Anti-Money Laundering Training Course (NZ Version)
• Privacy in the Workplace Training Course (NZ Version)
• Privacy in the Workplace and Recruitment Training Course (NZ Version)
• Ethics: Introduction to Workplace Ethics Training Course
• Ethics: Common Workplace Issues Training Course
• Ethics: Employees and Workers Training Course
• Information Security: Employee Awareness Training Course

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify what constitutes serious wrongdoing under the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022
• Explain who is entitled to make a protected disclosure and under what conditions
• Describe the internal and external reporting options available in New Zealand, including anonymous pathways
• Recognise the legal protections that apply to whistleblowers and what retaliation looks like
• Contribute to a workplace culture where raising concerns is seen as professional and supported

Organisational Benefits

• Reduce legal and regulatory exposure — Documented training demonstrates your organisation takes protected disclosure obligations seriously, which matters when complaints or investigations arise
• Improve early detection of misconduct — Workers who understand their rights and protections are more likely to raise concerns before issues escalate
• Strengthen audit readiness — Training records showing staff are informed about whistleblowing obligations support compliance reviews and board-level governance reporting
• Support a proactive governance culture — Organisations that invest in this training signal clearly that misconduct will not be tolerated and that safe reporting channels exist
• Protect individuals and the organisation — When staff know how to report correctly, the risk of informal escalation, reputational damage, or unmanaged complaints is substantially reduced