South African PDA Management: Handling Workplace Disclosures
A practical, legislation-aligned training course for managers and compliance teams on managing protected disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act No. 26 of 2000 (as amended), covering legal obligations, investigation protocols, anti-retaliation duties, and best-practice whistleblowing governance in South African workplaces.
This course is designed specifically for managers, HR professionals, and compliance teams operating within South African organisations. It provides a thorough grounding in the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) No. 26 of 2000 (as amended), equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills to receive, assess, manage, and respond to workplace disclosures in a manner that is legally compliant, procedurally sound, and ethically responsible. Participants will understand the critical distinction between a general workplace grievance and a protected disclosure, and why that distinction carries significant legal consequences for their organisation.
The course examines the full lifecycle of a disclosure — from the moment an employee raises a concern, through the assessment of whether it qualifies for statutory protection, to the investigation process, feedback obligations, and the rigorous prohibition on occupational detriment. It draws on the legislative framework established by the PDA, including the substantive amendments introduced by the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act No. 5 of 2017, and references relevant regulatory bodies including the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, and applicable sector-specific regulators. Managers will learn how to create a culture of psychological safety that encourages lawful disclosures while protecting both the disclosing employee and the organisation.
This course forms the second in a two-course set for South Africa. While the companion course addresses the obligations and rights of employees as potential whistleblowers, this course focuses entirely on the responsibilities of those who receive and manage disclosures. Upon completion, participants will be able to embed robust whistleblowing governance frameworks, conduct fair and confidential investigations, avoid liability for detriment, and fulfil all statutory reporting and record-keeping obligations imposed on employers and designated recipients under the PDA.
Course content
1. Module 1: The Legislative Framework — Understanding the PDA
- Lesson 1.1: History, Purpose and Scope of the Protected Disclosures Act
- Lesson 1.2: Categories of Impropriety and What Constitutes a Protected Disclosure
2. Module 2: Channels of Disclosure and the Role of Designated Recipients
- Lesson 2.1: Internal and External Disclosure Channels
- Lesson 2.2: Establishing and Managing an Internal Whistleblowing Programme
3. Module 3: Receiving and Assessing a Disclosure
- Lesson 3.1: First Response — How to Receive a Disclosure Properly
- Lesson 3.2: Assessing Whether a Disclosure is Protected
4. Module 4: Investigating Disclosures — Principles and Practice
- Lesson 4.1: Investigation Planning and Conduct
- Lesson 4.2: Reporting Findings and Post-Investigation Actions
5. Module 5: Occupational Detriment — Prohibition, Recognition and Response
- Lesson 5.1: Understanding and Preventing Occupational Detriment
- Lesson 5.2: Legal Remedies and Dispute Resolution
6. Module 6: Building a Compliant Whistleblowing Culture
- Lesson 6.1: Governance, Accountability and Continuous Improvement
7. Final Assessment
- Final Assessment
- 12 lessons
- Pass mark: 80%
- Completion certificate
You'll need a learner account to enrol.
Pay for 2–500 seats in one purchase. You'll receive an access code to share with your team.
Total: $695.00 + GST
Completion requirements
- Lessons and modules must be completed in order — each unlocks when the previous one is finished.
- Quizzes must be passed (pass mark 80%).
- Your certificate is issued automatically when every lesson is complete.
Unlock this course for free with a code from your organisation.