MacLennan v British Psychological Society [2024]
Decision Number: EAT 166 Legal Body: Employment Appeal Tribunal (England & Wales)
Published on: 05/09/2025
Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Louise McAloon Partner, Worthingtons Solicitors
Louise McAloon Partner, Worthingtons Solicitors
Louise mcaloon

Louise leads and manages the employment department, which is currently the largest employment law practice in Northern Ireland.

With over 18 years’ experience in employment law, Louise’s knowledge and attention to detail provide an innovative approach that her clients appreciate in relation to complex areas of Public Interest Disclosure, Equal Pay, Discrimination and Unfair Dismissal.  She works closely with employers across the public, private and third sectors and regularly advises on restructuring issues including individual and collective redundancies and the application and implication of TUPE. Louise has a detailed understanding of her clients’ needs and is known for her constructive and pragmatic advice on internal employment issues and providing advice and representation in defence of all categories of employment claims before the tribunals and civil courts.

Appellant:
MacLennan
Respondent:
British Psychological Society
Summary

This EAT ruling in October 2024 may lead to a significant broadening of the scope of whistleblowing protections to include charity trustees. This change may lead to far-reaching effects across the charity sector.

Background

Dr MacLennan was expelled from the Respondent and had his position as trustee and President-Elect terminated in May 2021 following what he argued were 9 protected disclosures in relation to the running of the organisation. Bringing a claim for having suffered whistleblowing detriment under s.47B ERA 1996, the Claimant argued that trustees should be regarded as workers under employment law and therefore offered the same whistleblowing protections against detriment as workers.

The Employment Tribunal (ET) considered two issues at first instance.  Firstly, whether Dr

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Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 05/09/2025