What occurs if a whistleblowing disclosure is not made in good faith?

In cases of whistleblowing, the concept of good faith is pivotal in determining the outcomes for the whistleblower. If a whistleblowing disclosure is not made in good faith, the legal protections and remedies available can be affected. Specifically, if the disclosure is found to lack good faith, compensation awarded to the whistleblower can indeed be reduced by up to 25%. This provision serves as a mechanism to ensure that whistleblowers act with genuine intent, rather than for malicious reasons or personal gain.

The rationale behind this reduction is to protect the integrity of the whistleblowing process and to discourage any misuse of the system by individuals who may seek to manipulate it to their own advantage. This approach helps maintain a balance between encouraging honest reporting of misconduct and preventing opportunistic claims.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect how the legal framework addresses disclosures made in bad faith. For instance, full compensation is not awarded because it would undermine the accountability expected from whistleblowers. Ignoring the disclosure does not align with the legal obligations to investigate claims made in good faith, and immediate dismissal would be an extreme measure not typically warranted simply on the basis of the good faith evaluation of the disclosure.