Whistleblower protection refers to the legal measures and frameworks put in place to safeguard individuals who report wrongdoing or misconduct in various sectors, such as government, corporations, or organizations. These protections are essential to encourage individuals to come forward with information about illegal activities or unethical behavior without fear of retaliation.
European Level
At the European level, the European Commission presented a package of initiatives on April 23, 2018, including a Proposal for Directive on the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law. This proposal aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for whistleblower protection to safeguard the public interest. It includes provisions such as easily accessible reporting channels, confidentiality obligations, prohibition of retaliation against whistleblowers, and targeted measures of protection .
International Level
At the international level, the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan has contributed to strengthening the legal framework for whistleblower protection. The plan has provisions that encourage countries to establish effective whistleblower protection laws .
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has also adopted over 20 legal instruments to fight corruption, bribery, and promote integrity in the public and private sectors. While these instruments do not specifically focus on whistleblower protection, they contribute to the overall legal framework for combating corruption and promoting integrity .
United States
In the United States, whistleblower protection laws exist at both the federal and state levels. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 provides protection for federal employees who report misconduct. Additionally, various laws and executive orders govern whistleblowers in specific sectors, such as the intelligence community .