The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPTA) is now in force in Germany, but there is still uncertainty about which companies are specifically affected and what their obligations are. The question of whether and to what extent training is required is also often discussed. So it's high time to shed some light on the matter!

Who is affected by the Whistleblower Protection Act?

The law applies to companies and organizations with at least 50 employees. These are obliged to set up an internal reporting office that enables employees to report misconduct or violations of the law securely and confidentially. Companies with more than 250 employees had to implement it already, for smaller companies (50-249 employees) the implementation period ran until December 17, 2023. (Here the deadline was actually December 17, 2023, but many companies have not yet implemented it.)

What needs to be trained?

A particularly important aspect of the HinSchG is the internal training on the Whistleblower Protection Act. Above all, the people who manage the internal reporting office must know the legal basis and procedures. Incorrect handling can not only have legal consequences, but also undermine employees' trust in the system.

In addition, it makes sense to familiarize all employees with the basic processes by raising awareness of the Whistleblower Protection Act. If employees do not know how and where to report a concern or whether they are protected by the law, the system will not be used much. A simple, practical eLearning Whistleblower Protection Act, which conveys the most important content in a short and understandable way, helps here.

Why is employee training so important?

Many companies see the law as a mere compulsory exercise, but those who take the topic seriously will reap long-term benefits. A functioning whistleblower system can help to identify grievances at an early stage and resolve them internally before they escalate externally. This not only saves costs, but also protects the company's reputation.

Furthermore, there is a liability risk if companies do not organize their reporting office properly. If a report is processed incorrectly or a whistleblower is not sufficiently protected, it can be expensive. Training ensures that all parties involved know what to do – and what is better avoided.

Conclusion

The Whistleblower Protection Act is here, and companies must act. Setting up a reporting office is not enough if the people entrusted with it do not know how to process reports correctly. Internal training on the Whistleblower Protection Act and eLearning Whistleblower Protection Act are therefore not a nice extra, but a necessity. Companies that take action here can not only minimize legal risks, but also strengthen the trust of their employees.

So: it's better to take action now before it's too late!