New guide provides support for whistleblowers reporting abuses
The Federal Ombudsman and the Federal Institute for Human Rights (FIRM) have launched a practical guide aimed at empowering whistleblowers. This guide offers clear, detailed information to help individuals report abuses, fraud and irregularities while understanding their rights and protections.
Whistleblowers play a vital role in safeguarding democracy by exposing misconduct within companies or government institutions. However, many potential whistleblowers hesitate to act due to a lack of knowledge about their rights or fear of retaliation. Such concerns often deter individuals from addressing situations that may pose significant risks to the public.
To address these challenges, the new guide compiles all essential information and outlines whistleblowers’ rights, protection mechanisms and points of contact for reporting issues.
Accessible and safe reporting
The implementation of whistleblowing laws in 2023 for both the federal public and private sectors was a significant step forward. These laws aim to make the reporting process more accessible and to provide stronger safeguards against retaliation.
They also expand the avenues available for filing reports. Despite these advances, many individuals remain unaware of the legal protections available to whistleblowers, which discourages them from coming forward.
“It is therefore essential to raise awareness and, for example, inform potential whistleblowers about the different forms of protection and the benefits of a proactive approach to whistleblowing,” said federal ombudsman David Baele.
The guide can be consulted and downloaded for free from the federal ombudsman and the FIRM websites.
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