Whistleblower Integrity Service
Racism, sexual assault, bullying - unfortunately, these things are often found in everyday business life. Those affected or observers need a lot of courage to uncover such incidents. After all, whistleblowers are often still subject to hostility and retaliation and are stigmatized as "whistleblowers" or "block watchers".
Whistleblower protection systems within the meaning of the EU Directive
Whistleblower protection systems within the meaning of the EU Directive require that confidential channels must be made available so that persons worthy of protection from the company's environment can report relevant information to a confidential body, which investigates the allegations and takes appropriate follow-up action if necessary.
A first version of the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) was passed by the Bundestag on 16.12.2022. The Bundesrat approved the draft law on Friday, 12.05.23. The law was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on June 2, 2023 and will enter into force one month after promulgation.
All companies with 250 or more employees are obliged to set up a whistleblower procedure by July 2, 2023. Companies with between 50 and 249 employees have until December 17, 2023.
Further information on the Whistleblower Protection Act can be found here.
What does a company need to do to implement this directive correctly?
Companies are obliged to set up an internal reporting office for grievances within the company. Options include a telephone reporting hotline, IT communication platforms such as an anonymous e-mail contact option or a personal exchange with a contact person. The last option in particular has its limits under the EU Directive. The anonymity of the whistleblower must be guaranteed at all times. And the company's IT administrators are also not allowed to access the communication. For this reason, external service providers commissioned by the company to provide protected communication channels can also take on this role for the company.
Our offer: the Integrity Service of the pme Familienservice
Together with the software provider "LegalTegrity", pme Familienservice offers a solution tailored to your needs, with which you are set up in a legally compliant and modern way. In combination with pme's 24-hour hotline, LegalTegrity's whistleblower system is a low-threshold whistleblower system that complies with the requirements of the EU Directive.
You have the option of booking different packages with us. With the Guide, you have installed the legally required basic equipment in your company. The other packages provide you with valuable additional services to professionally deal with grievances and conflicts in your company and to support affected employees. Because beyond formal information, it is people who are affected or can become affected if the appropriate support is lacking.
Optional services before and after
These services are optional and ensure an ideal process when setting up a whistleblower protection system.
Preliminary phase
- Joint development of a Code of Conduct based on our proposals
- Training of internal confidants/recipients of information
- Training of managers, HR, works council members and employees
- Development and implementation of a thematic campaign with intranet articles, information material, newsletters, etc.
Analysis phase (after at least 12 months of concrete implementation phase of the system)
- Joint analysis and identification of topic clusters
- Tailor-made action planning of presentations, consulting and training offers
- Development and implementation of a thematic campaign with intranet articles, information material, newsletters, etc.
What else do you benefit from with us?
Why should a company take care of this?
Even if setting up a reporting office initially involves a lot of effort, it can be an opportunity for companies to become aware of irregularities in their own company at an early stage. High fines or reputational damage can thus be prevented. The directive therefore not only protects employees from the negative consequences of whistleblowing. Companies also benefit from a positive error culture that creates transparency and fairness.
Would you like to receive a customized offer for your company? Contact your pme business customer support and let them advise you individually and put together a tailor-made service package.
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