* By Natalie Giorgalla
Whistleblowers can have a negative reputation in business. But in reality, Whistleblowers can play an essential role, helping to highlight problems before they develop into unfair practices. Following the recent adoption and implementation of the European Whistleblower Protection Directive 2019/1937 (EU Whistleblower Protection Directive 2019/1937), the rules on Whistleblowing in the workplace have been increased and strengthened in all EU countries. Union. Therefore, EU-based companies must now legally provide confidential, open and secure reporting channels for employees in their workplace, protect whistleblowers from adverse retaliation and ensure that they are ready to comply with the new rules. Following the European Directive, in February 2023, the 2022 Law on the Protection of Persons Reporting Violations of Union and National Law (Law 6(I)/2022) entered into force.
Consequently, many companies will now have to consider how to implement the new rules as quickly and efficiently as possible. Compliance with the Directive is only one part of maintaining a successful Whistleblowing System. The key to having a truly effective Whistleblowing System that strengthens the culture of ethics and ethics of an organization, provides the International standard “ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems-Guidelines”.
Based on the principles of trust, impartiality and protection, ISO 37002:2021 provides guidance on how to establish, implement and maintain an effective Whistleblowing System. In addition, the standard is a management tool and provides assurance to management, investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders that an organization takes reasonable steps to prevent, detect and properly manage concerns about wrongdoing.
In summary, “ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems-Guidelines” addresses the four pillars of a successful and responsive whistleblowing environment, namely:
· Receive reports of violations
· Evaluation of infringement reports
· Dealing with infringement reports
· Completion of infringement cases
Such a system is necessary to build trust in the business and commit the business to ethical practices. The Whistleblowing Management System will not only demonstrate leadership's commitment to preventing and addressing wrongdoing, but will also encourage individuals to report wrongdoing in a timely manner, reduce and prevent adverse treatment and victimization of whistleblowers and others involved parties, and will foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
Effective Whistleblowing Systems protect organizations from the financial and reputational damage these risks could cause if left undetected. The “ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems-Guidelines” standard can help organizations of any size or type, whether in the public, private or non-profit sector, to:
· To create an integrated framework and relevant policy for the protection of whistleblowers.
· To ensure that the report is dealt with impartially and professionally.
· To help avoid bad behavior and rule breaking.
· To contribute to the organization's commitment to the principles of good governance and transparency.
· To ensure timely reporting from all levels of the organization.
It is no coincidence that the adoption and implementation of Management Systems for Whistleblowing shows a rapidly increasing trend in recent years. For many, Whistleblowing conjures up names like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. It is also significant that companies state that the main motivations for creating a Whistleblowing Management System include strengthening their business reputation, strengthening their image as ethical, their obligation to employees and their achievement as a benchmark. in their sector (industry benchmark).
For further information about the "ISO 37002:2021 Whistleblowing Management Systems-Guidelines" standard, those interested can be informed or get involved in the International Technical Committee ISO Technical Committee 309 Governance of Organizations, which published the said standard, by contacting the offices of CYS at 22 411 411 or at cystandards@cys.org.cy
*Natalie Giorgalla works as a Services & Management Standardization Officer at the Cyprus Organization for Standardization (CYS).
