ADS Group’s Business Ethics Network and the Export Group for Aerospace, Defence & Dual-Use are coming together to jointly organise a webinar on the issue of current and potential future international regulatory developments on the subject of “Whistleblowing”, otherwise known as “Speaking Up”.
“Whistleblowing” is the action someone takes to report wrongdoing at work that affects others. For example, it could affect the general public. Legally this is known as 'making a disclosure in the public interest', and the action of “whistleblowing” is sometimes called “blowing the whistle” or “speaking up”. Increasingly around the World regulations are being introduced by governments to encourage whistleblowers to come forward. The EU Whistleblowing Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1937) aims to strengthen whistleblower protections across the EU, and it requires organizations with 50 or more employees to establish secure reporting channels, protect whistleblowers from retaliation, and maintain documented investigation processes. The directive has been transposed into national law in most EU countries, with Germany implementing it in July 2023. Companies must comply with strict deadlines and data handling rules to ensure effective whistleblower protection. Meanwhile in the US, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is a federal law that protects federal whistleblowers who report misconduct, violations of law, or threats to public safety. It prohibits retaliation against employees who disclose information about government wrongdoing, ensuring they can report issues without fear of losing their jobs or facing other negative consequences. The act aims to promote transparency and accountability within federal agencies by safeguarding those who expose corruption or mismanagement. In the UK, there are enhanced whistleblower protections, particularly for those reporting sanctions-related misconduct, under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA), and effective from June 26, 2025, workers who report misconduct related to financial, trade, and transport sanctions will receive strengthened legal protections. This includes protections against dismissal or detriment when reporting to designated authorities such as HM Treasury and the Secretary of State for Business & Trade.
This FREE-TO-ATTEND webinar will help to update UK organisations on the latest (as well as any known future) developments in this area, and will feature a legal overview of the global scene and then a panel discussion of some UK organisations’ practical experiences and related corporate policies that they have introduced to deal with this complex regulatory area.
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