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What Violations Are Covered by the Whistleblower Protection Act?

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Overview of areas of law protected by the Whistleblower Act

The Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers in Poland aims to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement in areas that are key to the public interest. Thanks to the catalogue of areas that may be the subject of reporting by whistleblowers, the Act provides protection both in the scope of broadly understood law and specific industry regulations.

Violations covered by the Act:

  1. Public procurement:
    Ensures transparency and fairness in the tender process.
  2. Financial services and markets:
    Covers risk management and market integrity.
  3. Prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing:
    Critical to international and national security.
  4. Product safety:
    Covers product compliance with applicable standards.
  5. Transport safety:
    Covers both public and commercial transport.
  6. Environmental protection:
    Important for sustainable development and protection of natural resources.
  7. Radiological and nuclear safety:
    Covers the management and disposal of nuclear waste.
  8. Security food and feed:
    Ensures food safety for humans and animals.
  9. Public health:
    Important for preventing epidemics and promoting health.
  10. Consumer protection:
    Concerns consumer rights and market integrity.
  11. Privacy and personal data protection:
    Key in the age of digitalization.
  12. Network and IT system security:
    Protection against cyberattacks.
  13. Financial interests of the state treasury and the EU:
    Covers the management of public and EU funds.
  14. EU internal market:
    Competition rules, state aid and taxation.

The role of internal standards and ethics:

In addition to statutory regulations, organizations can also establish reporting of violations of internal regulations, such as work regulations or codes of ethics. This not only helps to shape appropriate attitudes, but also allows organizations to manage more effectively and comply with internal standards.

Summary:

Understanding what violations are covered by the Whistleblower Protection Act is crucial for every employee and organization operating in Poland. This not only ensures compliance with the law, but also builds a culture of responsibility and transparency in the workplace.