New rules to protect whistleblowers
Michael Triesch, founder of MyHinweis.online and expert in the areas of data protection, compliance and management systems. With MyNote.online, companies and institutions can outsource their internal reporting office. Editorial use permitted in connection with reporting on MyNote.online, the Whistleblower Protection Act or compliance issues. Published free of charge and only with a notice of image rights. // Further text via ots and www.presseportal.de/nr/172102 / The use of this image for editorial purposes is permitted in compliance with all stated terms of use and is then free of charge. Publication only with image rights notice.
(Photo: MyHinweis.online/Michael Triesch/Thomas Esser)
Meerbusch / Leipzig The new whistleblower protection law, which requires companies with 50 or more employees to set up an internal reporting office, often triggers rejection or even outrage in practice, reports Michael Triesch, operator of MyHinweis.online and long-time compliance and data protection expert from his everyday consulting work. The reasons for this are diverse and range from a lack of information among affected companies, institutions and the population to doubts about the cost-benefit ratio of the legally required measures to rigorous rejection. In the end, companies are left alone with another complex and bureaucratic requirement.
Implementing the law in companies is currently putting decision-makers in a particular dilemma, as public opinion often rejects the idea of a reporting office. “Some even talk about Stasi methods and informing. This is shown by sometimes drastic reactions on social media, but also direct feedback from companies.” This is how Triesch experiences the current situation. After the last change, the law explicitly stipulates that employees should first contact the company’s internal reporting office to clarify problems, instead of the so-called external government reporting offices. In addition, the reporting office is not obliged to investigate anonymous reports and there are severe penalties for intentional false reports. First and foremost, the Whistleblower Protection Act is intended to protect whistleblowers – and not to encourage denunciation. “It is therefore important to impart knowledge, to inform all sides sensitively and to find a pragmatic way of dealing with the legal requirements,” says Triesch, explaining the way out of this situation.
However, the reflexive rejection of some is only one side of the problem. In addition, companies face a considerable investment, especially if they want to implement the internal reporting point on their own. The number one cost factor is trained staff who are supposed to look after the reporting office and who have to meet high demands. In addition, there are material costs and in-depth technical know-how on data security in order to really implement the protection of whistleblowers in accordance with the law. The bottom line is that you have to calculate with five-digit annual amounts.
Triesch recommends not taking the topic lightly and approaching the requirements in a goal-oriented manner. No company is well advised to use self-made solutions such as a central email address for reports or whistleblowing software in combination with hardly any knowledgeable staff. Apart from the financial risks of paying fines, there is a risk of loss of reputation or problems if sensitive information falls into the wrong hands.
“Our practical experience has shown that family businesses and medium-sized companies in particular need a whistleblower protection solution that can be implemented without much effort and at the same time offers expert support,” explains Triesch. “That’s why we developed the whistleblower protection service MyNote.online, which provides a secure digital platform for the reporting process, as well as the legally compliant processing of incoming reports, including liability, and offers a wide range of information material for company management and employees.” Triesch is certain that well-informed managers and employees will appreciate the importance of an internal reporting point.
Despite all concerns, decision-makers should act promptly, but also carefully consider how they will implement the guidelines of the Whistleblower Protection Act in their company, Triesch advises: “Don’t be impressed by the myths and misunderstandings, some of which are even consciously cultivated Seek expert support in legally compliant and cost-effective implementation of the law.”
If you would like to delve deeper into the topic of whistleblower protection and compliance, you can do so at my Notice.online. There are also various free advisory services available for decision-makers.
About MyNote.online
MyNote.online offers companies the best solution on how to implement their mandatory internal whistleblower system easily, efficiently and legally. Because human resources are valuable in small and medium-sized companies, but also in municipalities and public institutions, MyHinweis.online ensures that the implementation of compliance measures requires as little additional effort and costs as possible.
Unlike whistleblower software providers, MyHinweis.online implements a complete whistleblower system including support for companies and institutions in just a few steps. The solution reduces the personnel and time expenditure, the liability risk for management and follow-up costs for the company to a minimum. At the same time, a high level of legal certainty is guaranteed.
Behind MyHinweis.online is the experienced team from TRIESCHconsult, a leading company in the field of data protection, compliance and management systems. The experts have extensive knowledge and experience in these areas and know the specific needs of SMEs from daily practice.
More information at https://myhinweis.online/pressemappe/
news-contact">Press contact:
MYHinweis.online
Michael Triesch
Rheindamm 13
40668 Meerbusch
Phone: 02150-7090780
[email protected]
Original content from: TRIESCHconsult, transmitted by news aktuell
2024-01-08 01:26:47
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