Whistleblowing Policy

1. Introduction

Bash EcoCleaners Service Ltd is committed to conducting business with honesty and integrity. We encourage all employees, workers, contractors, and franchise partners to report any concerns about suspected malpractice, wrongdoing, or dangers in the workplace.

This policy is designed in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) and provides protection for those who raise genuine concerns in good faith.

2. What Is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing or dangers at work. Concerns may relate to:

• Criminal activity or fraud
• Bribery or corruption
• Health and safety risks or dangers
• Environmental damage or pollution
• Financial malpractice or mismanagement
• Failure to comply with legal obligations
• Abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals
• Deliberate concealment of any of the above

This policy is not intended for personal grievances, which should be raised through the Company's grievance procedure, or for complaints about service quality, which should be raised through our Complaints Procedure.

3. How to Raise a Concern

If you have a concern, we encourage you to raise it internally first:

• Step 1: Speak to your line manager or supervisor if you feel comfortable doing so
• Step 2: If you prefer not to speak to your manager (or if your concern involves your manager), contact a director directly
• Step 3: You may also report concerns in writing to:

You may raise concerns verbally or in writing. When raising a concern, please provide as much detail as possible, including dates, times, locations, names, and any supporting evidence.

4. Confidentiality

All concerns raised will be treated in the strictest confidence. Your identity will not be disclosed without your consent, unless required by law or where necessary to conduct an investigation. We encourage you to identify yourself, as anonymous reports are more difficult to investigate effectively.

5. Protection from Retaliation

We will not tolerate any form of harassment, victimisation, or detrimental treatment of anyone who raises a genuine concern in good faith. If you believe you have been treated unfairly as a result of whistleblowing, please report this immediately to a director.

Protection under PIDA applies where the disclosure is made in good faith and the whistleblower reasonably believes the information to be substantially true.

6. How We Handle Concerns

• We will acknowledge your concern within 5 working days
• An appropriate person will be appointed to investigate — this may be a director, senior manager, or external investigator
• You will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of the investigation where appropriate
• Where the concern is substantiated, appropriate action will be taken, which may include disciplinary action, changes to procedures, or referral to external authorities

7. External Reporting

If you feel unable to raise your concern internally, or if you believe the Company has not addressed it adequately, you may contact the relevant prescribed body, including:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): For health and safety concerns — www.hse.gov.uk
• Environment Agency: For environmental concerns
• HM Revenue & Customs: For tax fraud
• Serious Fraud Office: For fraud and corruption
• Local authority: For safeguarding concerns
• Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work): For independent advice — protect-advice.org.uk | Helpline: 020 3117 2520

8. Review

This policy is reviewed annually. All employees are made aware of this policy during induction and are reminded of it during training updates.

Last updated: April 2026