Whistleblower Protection Law to Take Effect in Poland: Employers Must Act Swiftly

WARSAW, POLAND - In a significant development for Polish businesses, President Andrzej Duda has signed the long-awaited whistleblower protection law on June 19. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in protecting whistleblowers and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Implementation Timeline

The law will come into effect three months after its publication in the Journal of Laws. Companies have a limited timeframe to implement the necessary procedures, making it essential for employers to act swiftly.

Requirements for Employers

Under the Act, employers with at least 50 employees as of January 1 or July 1 of a given year will be required to establish a whistleblower procedure. This includes:

• Prior consultation with trade unions or employee representatives
• Selection of reporting channels
• Designation of personnel responsible for receiving and investigating whistleblowing notifications
• Documentation updates in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Companies affected by the new law must act promptly to ensure compliance. Failure to implement the necessary procedures may result in legal consequences.

Expert Guidance from Osborne Clarke

At Osborne Clarke, we offer expert guidance on implementing whistleblower protection procedures tailored to individual businesses and their employees. Our team is available to discuss solutions and support clients throughout all stages of implementation.

Important Note

Please note that this article reflects the current state of the law as of its publication date and may not necessarily reflect the present state of the law or relevant regulation.