A forward-thinking and successful organization is characterized by an organizational culture that not only enables but also encourages employees to report grievances in the organization. Such abuses can include all kinds of abuses of power such as nepotism, corruption, lack of quality control, discrimination and sexual assault. Organizations need whistleblowers to be able to remedy grievances.

With the entry into force of the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) in July 2023, these topics have gained attention in organizations and companies. The Whistleblower Protection Act is the German implementation of the so-called EU Whistleblower Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report violations of Union law) and includes that a whistleblowing management system must be introduced in companies.

The aim of the HinSChG is to protect persons who have obtained information about misconduct and/or violations in the course of their professional activities and report it. The HinSchG prohibits any reprisals against whistleblowers and obliges organisations and companies to set up secure channels for reporting grievances.

Studies[1] show that, in addition to establishing secure channels and establishing clear procedures for reporting misconduct, they have limited effectiveness if they are not accompanied by the development of an appropriate organizational culture.

I supported you in

• To provide impetus for the development of an organizational culture that enables the uncovering of grievances and organizational learning.
• to develop codes of conduct, ethical guidelines, etc. in a participatory process.
• raise awareness and strengthen role clarity through workshops on the topics of integrity and ethics. These workshops are each specifically tailored to the needs and role responsibilities of managers and employees.
• Implement clear procedures for dealing with reports of wrongdoing.
• to establish a whistleblower protection system.

[¹] Siehe z.B. Verhezen, Peter (2010), Giving Voice in a Culture of Silence. From a Culture of Compliance to a Culture of Integrity, in: Journal of Business Ethics, 96: 187-207.