Who can become a whistleblower? Expanding the definition in Polish law

A wide spectrum of "reporters" in the Polish whistleblower protection act

In the Polish Act on the Protection of Persons Reporting Violations of Law, the term "whistleblower" is not used directly. Instead, we speak of a "reporter". This definition is broad and covers practically anyone who has contact with an organization, regardless of the legal form of this contact, which reflects the Polish adaptation of the EU directive.

Who exactly can be a “reporter”?

According to the Act, the reporting person may be:

1. Full-time employee
2. Temporary employee
3. A person performing work under civil law contracts
4. Entrepreneur
5. Shareholder or partner
6. Member of a legal person's governing body
7. A person working under the supervision of a contractor or supplier
8. Trainee
9. Trainee
10. Public official (within the meaning of a specific act)
11. Professional soldier

This scope shows that the law gives the possibility to report violations to persons associated with the organization at various levels and in various circumstances, even if their formal cooperation with the organization has already ended or has not even begun.

Why such a wide range?

The purpose of the act is clear – it is about effectiveness and universality in counteracting violations of the law. Thanks to such a broad definition, anyone who has information about potential irregularities has the tools and legal protection to report this information. The act ensures that reports can be made effectively, at every level and in every situation, which increases the chances of detecting and responding to violations appropriately.

Summary

The significance of this regulation is enormous – every person in contact with the organization, regardless of their status, can contribute to improving safety and ethics in the workplace. This not only increases public protection, but also raises the standards of management and responsibility in organizations.