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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anonymous email…help

52 replies

Scarybutnecassary · 05/04/2022 23:04

I have got the point in my job where the only positive changes will involve a very high organisation to monitor and investigate my workplace . For obvious reasons I do need to report anonymously for now! How do I do this .Thank you for any helpful replies.X

OP posts:
Littlefish · 05/04/2022 23:07

www.gov.uk/whistleblowing

CatherinedeBourgh · 05/04/2022 23:07

I don't understand. You need to send an anonymous email? If so, set up a new account and send it from there?

ThinkForAMinute · 05/04/2022 23:10

It will depend on your organisation. If you work for the NHS your Whistleblowing Policy will have details of your Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. I don’t no anything about other workplaces.

Xpologog · 05/04/2022 23:14

Can’t you just set up a free email account ? For the name you could put XCompany Employee or similar. Easy to set up with gmail or proton. Must be lots of others too.
Most big companies have a whistleblowers policy.

Istherehopeforme · 05/04/2022 23:16

Is it Health and social care? Business?? What’s the area and we could provide more detailed info of the appropriate authorities to report to!

bonfireheart · 05/04/2022 23:16

Yes to setting up a free email account. who do you plan on sending the email to?

SoftwareDev · 05/04/2022 23:18

@CatherinedeBourgh it’s not that simple.

If the OP does this from a workplace computer IT will be able to trace it to her.

In terms of sending it outside of the workplace there are considerations such as setting up a VPN so that you don’t leave a traceable digital footprint. To be truly untraceable you need to hide your IP address. Other considerations include your language nuances for example.

Divebar2021 · 05/04/2022 23:23

Language nuances? How much time is going to be spent trying to uncover the whistleblower versus investigating the complaint ( assuming she’s not releasing secret documents or committing a crime)

SoftwareDev · 05/04/2022 23:27

@divebar2021

I have absolutely no idea as it is context dependent however given the fact the OP clearly does not want it being traceable I felt it was worth mentioning!

StoneofDestiny · 05/04/2022 23:28

Write (type) a letter instead of an e-mail?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/04/2022 23:28

Use the .gov link to find the charity that takes whistleblowing reports. Do not stay internal on this.

Original poster
Scarybutnecassary · 05/04/2022 23:29

Well obviously a separate email account is the way forward but as someone who is not confident with IT generally I was hoping for some simple pointers in how to set it up . Thank you for the lovely people who have posted helpful suggestions.

OP posts:
DietOrDie · 05/04/2022 23:31

@Scarybutnecassary

Well obviously a separate email account is the way forward but as someone who is not confident with IT generally I was hoping for some simple pointers in how to set it up . Thank you for the lovely people who have posted helpful suggestions.
If you go to www.gmail.com it will allow you to register and set up a new email address there
DaphneSprucesPippasClack · 05/04/2022 23:33

Google single use email addresses. Have your text written in word ready to copy and paste.

Monty27 · 05/04/2022 23:34

@NeverDropYourMooncup

Use the .gov link to find the charity that takes whistleblowing reports. Do not stay internal on this.
I like the idea of this OP
Deux · 05/04/2022 23:36

You could set up a ProtonMail account?

Original poster
Scarybutnecassary · 05/04/2022 23:36

Thank you so much for all your help. Shall look into it tomorrow X

OP posts:
CrowUpNorth · 05/04/2022 23:38

Protonmail is good. Obviously don't use a work computer. If you need to submit photos, it is a good idea to remove any EXIF data (just Google how). If you are whistleblowing and need protection, that charity mentioned above is good in supporting you to work out what is and isn't a protected disclosure.

HollowTalk · 06/04/2022 00:17

I wouldn't use the work computer to set it up and I wouldn't use my own computer either or another computer in my own home. Do you have a friend you can trust and you can ask them for use of their computer?

SageRosemary · 06/04/2022 00:23

Does your local library have a bank of computers you can use, or use an Internet cafe?

LampLighter414 · 06/04/2022 00:26

Could you write and post a letter instead?

Use your own device to type up and print from. Or print at a library

SoftwareDev · 06/04/2022 00:38

Re: libraries / printing

All of the libraries in my local area require you to login using your library card barcode which is of course traceable.

Printed documents can, in the right hands, be traced back to the machines they were printed from.

Savoury · 06/04/2022 00:45

A couple of things on this.

  1. If you’re going to be anonymous, please be precise. I know you’ll think it’s outing but as someone who has had to investigate one in the past, it was frustrating to have a vague accusation. At the very least, tell them where and how to look (e.g. email, sent on X dates etc.)
  2. If it’s this governing body is any good, they should not be bothered about finding the whistleblower so don’t worry about that too much.
  3. Consider carefully if it’s a whistleblow situation or a management situation. Sometimes people feel they need to whistleblow in place of a grievance but actually you’ll get proper feedback and due consideration if you do a grievance.
Rickrollme · 06/04/2022 01:34

@SoftwareDev

Re: libraries / printing

All of the libraries in my local area require you to login using your library card barcode which is of course traceable.

Printed documents can, in the right hands, be traced back to the machines they were printed from.

How???
Divebar2021 · 06/04/2022 06:54

Printed documents can, in the right hands, be traced back to the machines they were printed from

I’d love to know what powers / capacity an organisation would have to invest in an investigation this in-depth to identify someone who hasn’t committed a crime. This wouldn’t be a standard enquiry even in law enforcement.