Obviously, the law will come into force. It might offer protection to a few people, protection that they feel they require. Nonetheless, I remain skeptical.
I think that recourse to legislation is virtually a sign that the system has failed. An employee ought to feel comfortable reporting a situation he believes to be inappropriate; he should not require legal protection to do so.
What worries me most about this case, is that it lasted so long; even though something was clearly wrong, no one reported it during that lengthy period.
I think that small agencies that play a quasi-judicial or ombudsman role warrant particular attention, as central agencies and departments are reluctant to increase oversight for fear of being accused of interfering. This rather unique situation could have contributed to it having gone on for so long. All the same, I find it troubling.
If you turn to the chapter on public safety, you will see that employees do not think—