How to raise ethical concerns effectively

Covering Assessment Criterion 1.4 of 5CO03, this video addresses the practical process of raising matters that conflict with ethical values or legislation, moving from initial preparation through to formal escalation. It examines how to gather and document evidence before raising a concern, the importance of understanding contextual factors that may not be immediately apparent, and how to judge whether an informal or formal response is proportionate to the severity and urgency of the situation.

The video works through a staged approach to escalation, covering direct conversations with the individual concerned, consultation with line managers, mentors, or experienced colleagues, and the use of internal grievance procedures including their timescales, investigation processes, and appeal rights. It also addresses circumstances in which concerns may need to reach senior leadership, board-level figures, or designated individuals such as non-executive directors, as well as situations where referral to external regulatory bodies becomes appropriate because internal channels have been exhausted or are insufficient.

Competing obligations receive sustained attention throughout, with the video examining how organisational interests, individual employee welfare, legal requirements, and broader stakeholder considerations can pull in different directions when professional judgement is required. The question of personal risk — including the limitations of legal protections and the practical importance of record-keeping and professional networks — is treated honestly alongside the obligations that fall on people professionals under 5CO03. The video concludes by signposting whistleblowing and organisational culture as subjects covered in a subsequent instalment.