Central vs. local whistleblowing channels

Towards an Effective Implementation of the EU Whistleblower Directive in Multinational Organisations

Whistleblowing systems are an important instrument for any organisation wishing to uncover misconduct. Their design and level of accessibility determine their effectiveness. Many multinational organisations tend to establish a central whistleblowing system consisting of an online platform, allowing employees and third parties to raise their concerns regardless of their physical location around the world. That practice must be re-evaluated and possibly adjusted in light of the common interpretation of the EU Whistleblower Directive, which underscores the importance of local whistleblowing channels. This article explores the standards set forth by the EU Whistleblower Directive with respect to the required design of whistleblowing systems in Europe, and canvases the standards adopted by the national laws implementing the EU Whistleblower Directive across Eur...

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Towards an Effective Implementation of the EU Whistleblower Directive in Multinational Organisations

1. Introduction

2. Whistleblower Directive

2.1. Background

2.2. Whistleblowing channels

2.3. European Commission's interpretation of the Whistleblower Directive  

3. National laws

4. Considerations in establishing a central vs. local whistleblowing channels

5. Practical way forward: a hybrid whistleblowing channel model   

5.1. Explicit encouragement

5.2. Implicit nudge

6. Concluding remarks