Blog

Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz: Germany Transposes The EU Whistleblowing Directive

In May 2023, the Bundestag agreed on a compromised version of the Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz and it was passed by the Bundesrat a day later. The law came into force at the beginning of July 2023.

by Moritz Homann

28/11/2023

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Basics

Non-Disclosure Agreements and Whistleblowing

While NDAs may seem like a way to muzzle whistleblowers, most of them are considered unenforceable in court.

Laws and standards

The UFO Whistleblower’s Extraordinary Congressional Hearing

Whistleblower David Grusch made remarkable claims about the existence of extraterrestrial life at a Congressional hearing.

Basics

Whistleblowers: Heroes or Traitors?

Despite often having a negative image, whistleblowers are not snitches, informants or traitors. In fact, they can actually prove hugely beneficial for companies.

Laws and standards

Why the EU Whistleblowing Directive Is Relevant Beyond EU Borders

Non-EU companies operating inside the bloc may be subject to the EU Whistleblowing Directive’s tough requirements.

Basics

What HR Professionals Need To Know About Whistleblowing & Whistleblower Protection

The HR department plays an important role in credible compliance and, in the case of serious incidents, investigating reports.

Laws and standards

Italy Transposes The EU Whistleblowing Directive

After a series of delays, Italy has finally transposed the EU Whistleblowing Directive.

Laws and standards

Church & Whistleblowing: What Religious Institutions Need to Consider

A new era of whistleblowing is presenting major challenges and opportunities for religious institutions.

Laws and standards

Finland Gets EU Whistleblowing Directive Over The Finish Line

Finland implemented its new Whistleblower Protection Law on 01 January 2023.

Laws and standards

Group-Wide Whistleblowing Channels: Are They Allowed?

The EU Whistleblowing Directive grants some flexibility for the creation of group whistleblowing channels.

Laws and standards

“Wet Bescherming Klokkenluiders”: The Netherlands Implements the EU Whistleblowing Directive

After missing the original deadline, the Netherlands finally transposed the EU Whistleblowing Directive in January 2023.

Laws and standards

Spain Wraps Up EU Whistleblowing Directive Transposition

After a spate of delays, Spain’s congress has approved a comprehensive new whistleblower protection law.

Laws and standards

Botswana: Africa’s Whistleblower Protection Trailblazer

Many parts of Africa have struggled with corruption, but Botswana is setting an example in tackling it.

Basics

Ombudsman & Compliance: Impartial Arbitrator or Digital Whistleblowing System?

Which form of complaint resolution best suits your organisation? We take a closer look at the role of the ombudsman.

Laws and standards

Belgium Finally Passes The EU Whistleblowing Directive

Belgium has gotten its drawn-out transposition process over the finish line.

Laws and standards

Whistleblowers in Switzerland: Why companies should rely on a whistleblowing platform

Despite lack of a national law, there are still many good reasons to allow anonymous whistleblowing systems.

Basics, Laws and standards

Xavier André Justo’s brutal account of being at the centre of the world’s biggest financial scandal

Journalist Philip Whiteley spoke with Xavier André Justo about the brutal retaliation he suffered as a whistleblower.

Experts Corner

When Whistleblowing goes Nuclear: Interview with Alison McDermott

Whistleblower Alison McDermott spoke out about problems in the Sellafield workforce. This is her story.

Basics, Communications

Why Whistleblowing by Phone Is No Longer Best Practice

Telephone hotlines for whistleblowers are becoming less popular in the digital era.

Laws and standards

Unprecedented Whistleblower Leak Shows How Uber Flouted Laws

A massive leak shows how Uber flouted laws and secretly lobbied governments during its rapid global expansion.

Experts Corner

Whistleblowing in Health: An Interview With Mr. Peter Duffy

Whistleblowers are increasingly shining a light on bad practice in healthcare. UK Whistleblower Mr. Peter Duffy tells us why he chose to speak out.

Communications, Experts Corner

Whistleblowing: How to Avoid Retaliation in the Workplace

A range of measures can be implemented to provide protection from employer retaliation before the whistle is even blown.

Laws and standards

The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill: Ireland Transposes the EU Whistleblowing Directive

Ireland has passed a bill enhancing and strengthening protections for whistleblowers. It transposes the EU Whistleblowing Directive into Irish national law by amending the current Protected Disclosure Act 2014.

Experts Corner, Laws and standards

Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos Case: History of a Fraud Scandal

Medical start-up Theranos promised to revolutionise blood tests but the technology didn't work. Customers received wrong diagnoses and investors lost their money.

Laws and standards

New French Whistleblowing Law: The Transposition of the EU Directive

A new law transposing the EU Whistleblowing Directive was submitted to the French Senate on 19 January 2022 and it was passed on 16 February, 2022.

Laws and standards

Spotlight on PIDA and Whistleblowing in the UK

PIDA is the law protecting whistleblowers in the UK and it came into force on 2 July 1999.

Laws and standards

The Details Behind the US Whistleblower Protection Act

In the United States, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 has afforded whistleblowers working for the government protection.

Laws and standards

A Closer Look at The Ethics Behind Whistleblower Rewards

In the wake of the SEC paying the largest financial reward in the history of any whistleblower program, we’re taking a closer look at the pros and cons of such financial incentives.

Basics

Help, I’m a whistleblower! Tips when speaking up

Speaking up is hard. In this article, find out how to speak up effectively and protect yourself in the process.

Laws and standards

Key Takeaways From the SEC Office of the Whistleblower’s Report to Congress

Last month, the SEC Office of the Whistleblower report to Congress revealed another record-breaking year for the number of tips received from and awards paid to whistleblowers.

Laws and standards

“Proposta de Proteção de Denunciantes”: New Portuguese Whistleblowing Law

Portugal was the third country to transpose the EU Whistleblowing Directive into national law.

Laws and standards

“Genomförande av visselblåsardirektivet”: Sweden Passes New Whistleblower Law

After Denmark, Sweden became the second EU member state to implement the 2019 EU Whistleblowing Directive into national law.

Laws and standards

“Lov om beskyttelse af whistleblowere”: Denmark passes Whistleblower Protection Act

Denmark has a new Whistleblower Protection Act. Find out more about the scope of the “Lov om beskyttelse af whistleblowere”.

Laws and standards

BRC Global Standard: Detect Food Scandals Before They Happen

Learn what’s behind the BRC v8 requirement to implement a reporting system.

Laws and standards

ISO 37002 whistleblowing standard – what organisations need to know

ISO 37002 provides guidance for organisations to create a whistleblowing management system based on trust, impartiality and protection.

Basics

Whistleblower protection: What franchise companies need to know

Franchise companies face unique compliance challenges. Read how to protect yourself and your franchisees.

Communications

What should the ideal whistleblowing policy include?

How to create a whistleblowing policy that builds trust and encourages a culture of integrity.

Basics

What is a whistleblowing hotline? – Compliance in brief

Whistleblowing hotlines are a hot topic for compliance professionals right now. Find out all you need to know here.

Basics

What is Whistleblowing in the Workplace? FAQ for Companies

With the EU Whistleblowing Directive, the topic of speaking up is becoming important for organisations. This article contains everything you need to know.

Basics

Speak up culture: 10 reasons why employees do not speak up

We take a look at the reasons that prevent employees from reporting grievances within the company.

Basics

Key considerations for workplace investigations

8 top tips for conducting a workplace investigation with a specific focus on whistleblowing investigations. Guest article by Hannah Netherton & Steven Cochrane (CMS).